Factors Associated with Caregiver Burden in Caregivers of Older Patients with Dementia in Indonesia

This cross-sectional study aimed to identify caregiver burden and its determinants in the informal caregivers of older patients with dementia (PWDs) aged >= 60 years in Java, Indonesia. Data were collected from 207 caregivers of older PWDs using self-administered questionnaires. The dependent variable was caregiver subjective burden, assessed using the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI). The independent variables included the socio-demographic characteristics of PWDs and caregivers, the caregiver's perceived social support, and the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). Linear regression with a stepwise elimination method was used to identify the factors associated with caregiver burden. This study found that four factors were associated with the caregiver burden, such as the gender of PWDs, the educational level of caregivers, social support, and BPSD (R-squared = 27.78%). Higher burden was reported among the caregivers of female PWDs (beta = 5.58; 95%CI = 2.16; 8.99) and PWDs with higher scores of BPSD (beta = 0.34; 95%CI = 0.25; 0.43). Meanwhile, the caregivers with higher perceived social support (beta = -0.26; 95%CI = -0.42; -0.10) and who completed high school education and above (beta = -6.41; 95%CI = -10.07; -2.74) tended to have lower scores of subjective burden. These findings suggest that BPSD management and maintaining the resources of support may provide an opportunity to minimise caregiver burden and improve the quality of life of caregivers and PWDs.

Automated summary

This study aimed to identify caregiver burden and its determinants in informal caregivers of older patients with dementia in Java, Indonesia. The study found that the gender of the patients, education level of the caregivers, social support, and behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) were associated with the caregiver burden. Higher burden was reported among caregivers of female patients and patients with higher BPSD scores. On the other hand, caregivers with higher perceived social support and higher education tended to have lower subjective burden scores. These findings suggest that managing BPSD and maintaining social support resources may help reduce caregiver burden and improve the quality of life for both caregivers and patients.