Dementia Care Research and Psychosocial Factors

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Socioeconomic status (SES) is a known determinant of health disparities.
• Older adults with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (AD/ADRD) and their caregivers experience health inequities.
• The influence of SES on dementia caregiver outcomes remains understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and key outcomes for caregivers of individuals with dementia.
• To examine how SES factors relate to behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) severity, caregiver burden, social support, and depressive symptoms.

Main Methods:

• Utilized baseline data from 144 participants in a larger study.
• Employed Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) to compare outcomes across different SES groups.
• Assessed SES through race, education, income, employment, and insurance status.

Main Results:

• Full-time employment and Medicare Advantage insurance were associated with lower BPSD severity.
• Caregivers earning over $75,000 reported higher social support.
• Higher educational attainment (some college/associate's) correlated with increased caregiver burden, while employment status (employed vs. unemployed) impacted burden and depressive symptoms.

Conclusions:

• SES significantly influences BPSD severity and caregiver outcomes, with some findings aligning with prior research and others offering new insights.
• Employment status and income level emerged as critical SES factors affecting caregiver well-being.
• Interventions for dementia caregivers should consider SES in their design, and future research should explore these associations in diverse populations.