Caregiver Burden and Perceived Health Competence when Caring for Family Members Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia

Abstract

Purpose: To identify if there is a relationship between perceived health competence and burden of care of informal caregivers of family members with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia (ADRD). Methods: Informal caregivers 18 years and older who received services from the Alzheimer’s Resource of Alaska were invited to complete a survey. Conclusion: Findings indicate that there was a significant negative correlation between Perceived Health Competence and Burden of Care (N = 64, r = -.54, p <.001). Furthermore, the three subscales of the Modified Montgomery-Borgatta Caregiver Burden Scale: Relationship burden (r = -.29, p = .021), Objective burden (r = -.65, p = < .001) and Stress burden (r = -.41, p = .001) indicated that different types of burden affect informal caregivers’ health competence. Implications for practice: Based on the findings of this study, it is important to ensure that informal caregivers do have time for themselves as well as taking care of their own health needs. Nurse Practitioners can play an important role in early detection and prevention, with periodic screening to help identify current needs and to ensure optimal health for these informal caregivers.