Caregiver Burden in the Context of Dementia

Caregiver Burden in the Context of Dementia - #97

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“Caregiver burden” is a multifaceted concept that encompasses the physical, psychological, social, and financial strain experienced when caring for a loved one over time.1

Spouses and adult children who provide ongoing assistance to another person, especially family caregivers of people with dementia.

Conduct a caregiver assessment—an interview directed at identifying high levels of burden—as soon as a caregiver is identified. Repeat assessments may be considered when there is a change in the status of the caregiver or the care recipient. Caregivers should be directed to appropriate resources for support, including national caregiving organizations, local elder care agencies, websites, and respite care.

  1. Define caregiver burden.
  2. Describe how to assess older patients for caregiver burden.
  1. Liu Z, Heffernan C, Tan J. Caregiver burden: A concept analysis. Int J Nurs Sci. 2020;7(4):438-445. doi:10.1016/j.ijnss.2020.07.012
  2. Reckrey JM, Bollens-Lund E, Husain M, Ornstein KA, Kelley AS. Family Caregiving for Those With and Without Dementia in the Last 10 Years of Life. JAMA Intern Med. 2021;181(2):278–279. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2020.4012
  3. AARP and National Alliance for Caregiving. Caregiving in the United States 2020. Washington, DC: AARP. May 2020. doi.org/10.26419/ppi.0010001
  4. Alzheimer’s Association. 2022 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures. Alzheimers Dement. 2022;18(4):700-789. doi: 10.1002/alz.12638
  5. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Social isolation and loneliness in older adults: Opportunities for the health care system. 2020. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/25663.
  6. Gratão ACM, Brigola AG, Ottaviani AC, Luchesi BM, Souza ÉN, Rossetti ES, de Oliveira NA, Terassi M, Pavarini SCI. Brief version of Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) for burden assessment in older caregivers. Neuropsychol. 2019;13(1):122-129. doi:10.1590/1980-57642018dn13-010015
This GFF ___ my competence in geriatrics.

Stacy Barnes, PhD, Director, Wisconsin Geriatric Education Center and Associate Professor of Practice, College of Nursing, Marquette University