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Factors determining the decision to institutionalize dementing individuals: a prospective study
C A Cohen1, D P Gold, K I Shulman
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Sunnybrook Health Science Centre, Ontario, Canada.
The Gerontologist
|December 1, 1993
Summary
Caregiver burden, health, and reaction to dementia behaviors predict institutionalization decisions. Use of services and troublesome behaviors also influence actual placement at 18 months.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Psychology
- Sociology
Background:
- Dementia caregiving presents significant challenges.
- Understanding factors influencing institutionalization is crucial for support.
Purpose of the Study:
- Identify variables predicting caregiver decisions to institutionalize individuals with dementia.
- Examine predictors of actual institutionalization over time.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of 196 caregiver/care receiver dyads.
- Analysis of variables including service use, caregiver well-being, and behavior management.
Main Results:
- Seven variables, including caregiver burden, health, and reaction to behaviors, predicted the decision to institutionalize.
- Six variables, such as caregiver burden, health, service use, and care receiver behaviors, predicted actual institutionalization at 18 months.
Conclusions:
- Caregiver burden, health, and perceptions of care receiver behavior are key factors in institutionalization.
- Service utilization and the presence of challenging behaviors also play a significant role in placement decisions.