Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia and Caregiver Burden

Extract

Most patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) are cared for in their own homes. The costs of this care can be documented in several different ways—financial, time spent in the caregiving role, and strain or burden on the caregiver. This strain and burden on caregivers can manifest in a variety of ways, including increased use of prescribed medication and more primary care visits (Haley, 1997). Vulnerability to strain is heightened by a previous history of psychiatric disorder in the caregiver (Baumgarten et al., 1992; Hooker, 1992). Depression is a particularly common accompaniment to the caregiving role, affecting between 25% and 70% of caregivers (Dura et al., 1990; Teri, 1994). Physical manifestations of caregiving burden include impaired immune function, elevated blood pressure, abnormal plasma lipid levels, and poor self-care (e.g., sleeplessness and lack of exercise) (Haley, 1997).