Caregiver Burden and Needs of Dementia Caregivers in Thailand: A Cross-Sectional Study
Weerasak Muangpaisan MD*, Rungnirand Praditsuwan MD**, Jintana Assanasen MD**, Varalak Srinonprasert MD**, Prasert Assantachai MD*, Somboon Intalapaporn MD*, Wichai Chatthanawaree MD*, Piyapat Dajpratham MD***, Vilai Kuptniratsaikul MD***, Doojpratna Pisansalakij BSc*
Affiliation : * Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand ** Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand *** Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
Objective : To identify the burdens of Thai dementia caregivers and to determine the services that could support them in this
function.
Material and Method: The authors surveyed 88 dementia caregivers attending “Caregiver Day”. The questionnaire
contained Caregiver Burden Inventory. The answers range from “not at all descriptive” (zero) to “very descriptive” (4). The
authors also explored baseline characteristics of caregivers and care recipients as well as caregiver’s needs of a supporting
system.
Results : There was an 82% response rate. Responses in time-dependence burden distributed almost equally in the five
possible scales. In developmental and physical burden, caregivers rate scores mainly from 0-2. The scores in social and
emotional burden ranged mainly between 0-1. Dependency in basic activities of daily living correlated with higher caregiver
burden (odd ratio 7.48, 95% confidence interval 1.42-39.53, p = 0.02), while sex and kinship did not. The top three
caregiver’s needs were 1) caregiver education and training, 2) telephone line provided for caregiver consultation and
3) special system in a hospital provided for dementia patients to have rapid access to see a doctor.
Conclusion : Caring for dementia patients can lead to high caregiver burden, particularly those caring for dependent
patients. Physical and developmental burdens are affected more than social and emotional burdens. Culture, relationship
quality and resources (coping, outlook on life and social support) might be contributing factors of this difference.
Keywords : Caregiver burden, Dementia
