Dementia Care Research and Psychosocial Factors

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Gerontology
• Public Health

Background:

• Alzheimer Disease (AD) is a leading cause of dementia with significant biopsychosocial impacts.
• AD is a major cause of death, disability, and dependency in Chile, affecting individuals and society.
• Informal caregiving for AD patients incurs substantial long-term care costs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the quality of life of informal caregivers for individuals with Alzheimer Disease.
• To identify factors influencing caregiver quality of life in the context of AD.

Main Methods:

• A systematic search of reviews and meta-analyses on caregiver quality of life and AD was conducted (2017-2023).
• Databases searched included Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus.
• PRISMA and AMSTAR guidelines were applied to analyze 19 primary studies.

Main Results:

• Lower quality of life in caregivers was associated with being female, low socioeconomic status, depression, anxiety, and low sense of coherence.
• Positive attitudes towards care, hope, empathy, personal resources, and self-efficacy were linked to higher caregiver quality of life.
• The study included 19 primary studies encompassing 11,483 participants.

Conclusions:

• Key risk factors for reduced caregiver quality of life include low socioeconomic status, anxiety, and low sense of coherence.
• Protective factors such as hope, empathy, personal resources, and self-efficacy can enhance caregiver well-being.
• Improving the quality of life for Alzheimer Disease caregivers is crucial.