Behavioral Symptoms Affect Caregivers

Behavioral symptoms of individuals with dementia predicted depressive symptoms among caregivers. It was suggested that the emotional relationship mediates the negative effect of behavioral symptoms on caregiver depression. Information on caregiver depression was shared recently by Susan G. Kornstein, MD, editor-in-chief of the Journal of Women’s Health. A recent study in which participants were daughters and daughters-in-law who were caretakers of individuals with dementia reported depressive symptoms and patient behavioral symptoms. Cognitive abilities, daily activities and global dementia ratings for individuals with dementia were also assessed. “In this study, we found that behavioral symptoms predict greater depressive symptoms in daughter caregivers compared with daughters-in-law. Future studies, which investigate caregiver well-being, and interventions, which aim to promote better caregiver health, would benefit from considering the role of caregiver relationship type.” This conclusion was from Juwon Lee, MA, of the University of Kansas and colleagues who evaluated 95 daughter and daughter-in-law caregivers of individuals with dementia in the study. From: Lee J, et al. J Womens Health. 2016; doi:10.1089/jwh.2016.5831.