A STUDY ON STRESS, ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION AMONG CAREGIVERS OF THE PATIENTS WITH DEMENTIA IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN EASTERN INDIA.

Dr. Sk. Kamal Hassan, Dr. Uday Sankar Mandal, Dr. Dilip Kumar Mondal, Dr. Debarshi Jana

Abstract


Background: Dementia is the leading cause of disability in aged people and has a major impact by reducing the capacity to live independently. This
condition of dependency involves all members of the family, particularly those who take direct care of patients. The changes that take place in care
givers' lives may alter their health and have an effect on the care of the sick.
Aims: To determine the presence of stress, anxiety and depression in care givers of Dementia patients.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed in 60 primary care givers of Dementia patients from the cognitive Clinic of Dept. of
Psychiatry, R. G. Kar MCH, Kolkata, W.B. Care givers were evaluated for intensity of Stress with the Kingston Care giver Stress scale and for both
depression and anxiety using the respective Hamilton scales. Suitable statistical test were used.
Results: 80% of care givers were female, and 53% were older than 50 years. Majority (80%) of care giver exhibited high level of stress; 17% high
anxiety symptoms; and 66% had moderate to severe depressive symptoms. A significant association was found in the Pearson correlation analysis.
between intensity of stress in care giver and depression.
Conclusion: Care giver stress was associated with depression. It is important for health professionals to include care giver assessments in the
treatment protocols of dementia.


Keywords


dementia, caregiver stress, anxiety, depression.

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References


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