The relationship between psychological burden and providing assistance with taking medication among caregivers of patients with dementia: a cross-sectional study.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Previous studies have examined the psychological burden of caregivers of patients with dementia. However, although many caregivers struggle to assist patients with dementia with medication management, the relationship between assisting such patients with taking their medicines and the caregiver psychological burden is understudied. Therefore, this study identified the association between caregivers' psychological burden and assisting patients with dementia with taking medication. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among caregivers of patients with dementia in Japan. The survey questionnaire included questions that assessed the symptoms of patients with dementia, their status of taking medication through medication assistance from caregivers, and caregivers' psychological burden using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale and the Japanese version of the Perceived Stress Scale. KEY FINDINGS: A total of 57 caregivers participated in the study. Higher Kessler Psychological Distress Scale scores were significantly associated with unsuccessful assistance with taking regular medication (ß = 0.35, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.23-12.0, P < .05), depressive symptoms (ß = 0.26, 95% CI 0.10-8.53, P < .05), and irritability (ß = 0.38, 95% CI 2.71-11.5, P < .05). Likewise, higher scores on the Japanese version of the Perceived Stress Scale were significantly associated with irritability (ß = 0.37, 95% CI 1.87-12.5, P < .05) among patients with dementia. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that caregiver psychological burden is associated with unsuccessful assistance with taking regular medication for patients with dementia.