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The Psychological Well-being of Supporters of the Demented Elderly

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

J. M. Eagles ,
A. Craig ,
F. Rawlinson ,
D. B. Restall ,
J. A. G. Beattie  and
J. A. O. Besson
J. M. Eagles*
Affiliation:
Ross Clinic, Aberdeen, University of Aberdeen
A. Craig
Affiliation:
Foresterhill Health Centre, Aberdeen. Aberdeen University Department of Community Medicine
F. Rawlinson
Affiliation:
St Ann's Hospital, Poole
D. B. Restall
Affiliation:
Inverurie Health Centre
J. A. G. Beattie
Affiliation:
Inverurie Health Centre
J. A. O. Besson
Affiliation:
University of Aberdeen
*
∗Ross Clinic, Royal Cornhill Hospital, Cornhill Road, Aberdeen AB9 2ZH, Scotland
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Abstract

Interviews were conducted with the co-resident supporters of 79 elderly subjects. Forty of these elderly subjects had been diagnosed as being demented (20 mildly, 12 moderately and eight severely) following psychiatric assessment. The supporters were screened for psychological well-being with the 60-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and the Relatives' Stress Scale (RSS). Supporters of demented relatives showed significantly raised levels of stress on the RSS, but no increase in psychiatric morbidity on the GHQ, when compared with the supporters of non-demented relatives. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 150 , Issue 3 , March 1987 , pp. 293 - 298
Copyright
Copyright © 1987 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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