Caregiver Burden among Thai Dementia Patients' Caregivers

Main Article Content

Pawut Mekawichai
Surin Saetang

Abstract

ABSTRACT
Objective : To determine the burden of caregivers in caring for dementia patients and to identify the associated factors with the burden of caregiver at Dementia clinic, Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital.
Methods : The cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted. The data were collected from 66 patients with dementia and major caregivers at Dementia clinic, Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital during January to May 2012. The caregiver burden was assessed by using the Caregiver Burden Inventory (CBI) questionnaires.
Result : Sixty-six dementia patients had mean age of 73.4±8.5 years which 39 patients (59.1%) needed caregiver assistance in performing the activity of daily living (ADL). Sixty-six caregivers had mean age of 50.8±12.5 years which 53 (80.3%) caregivers were female. The mean CBI score was 15.6±12.6 points. The most burden to caregiver was time dependent burden. Factors associated with burden of caregivers were the caring of patients with low ability to perform activity of daily living and poor cognitive function, being spouse, and low education of caregivers.
Conclusion : The caring for dementia patients had impact to caregivers. The time consuming was the most influence to caregiver burden. The factors associated with caregiver burden were the caring in patient with low ability to perform ADL and poor cognitive function, being spouse and low education of caregivers.

Article Details

How to Cite
Mekawichai, P., & Saetang, S. (2013). Caregiver Burden among Thai Dementia Patients’ Caregivers. Journal of the Psychiatric Association of Thailand, 58(1), 101–110. Retrieved from https://he01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/JPAT/article/view/8264
Section
Original Articles
Author Biographies

Pawut Mekawichai, Neurology unit, Department of Medicine, Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital Amphur Muang, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Thailand 30000

Surin Saetang, Neurology unit, Department of Medicine, Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital Amphur Muang, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Thailand 30000