Relationship between caregiver characteristics and the reported quality of life of people with mild and moderate dementia.

Abstract

Introduction: Individuals with dementia are typically cared for at home by a family member who provides informal care, a role that can negatively affect their quality of life (QoL) and caregiving performance, thereby impacting the QoL of the person with dementia.

Objective: To examine the relationship between caregiver characteristics and the QoL reported by individuals with mild or moderate dementia.

Materials and methods: This quantitative, cross-sectional, correlational study involved 50 dyads comprising individuals with mild to moderate dementia and their caregivers. The variables assessed were the QoL of the person with dementia, caregiver competence, caregiver burden, caregiver QoL, attention, cognitive flexibility, inhibitory control, decision-making, and working memory.

Results: The study found significant correlations between caregiver competence, QoL, and burden/stress with the QoL of individuals with dementia. Executive function (inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility) was significantly associated with caregiver competence.

Discussion: Caregiver QoL is positively associated with the QoL of individuals with dementia; therefore, enhancing caregiver-related characteristics contributes to effective disease management and the well-being of the person with dementia.

Conclusion: The study demonstrates the impact of informal caregivers' competence, burden, and executive function on the QoL of individuals with dementia.