Psychological health of the primary caregivers of home-based adults with dementia: India and Taiwan

Purpose: Currently 30 million people are affected by dementia in the world, and the majority of them are cared for by their families. Caregiving is a challenging task; the impacts of caregiving have been identified as financial, physical, and psychological stress. The purpose of the study was to identify psychological health of caregivers of home-based adults with dementia in India and Taiwan. They are Asian countries with similar laws but are in different economic development stages.

Data: Fifty Indian and 67 Taiwanese primary caregivers were interviewed by a native occupational therapist. Data are quantitative and qualitative.

Method: Psychological health was assessed using culturally validated the Zarit Burden Interview, the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression, and the University of California Los Angeles Loneliness scale. Reward for caregiving was also assessed. ANCOVA and correlation were used for the analyses.

Results: Caregivers in India and Taiwan provided similar amount of caregiving tasks. Indian caregivers exhibited significantly better psychological health than Taiwanese caregivers (for all measures p<.001). Indian caregivers expressed strong needs of awareness of the illness and day care centers. Taiwanese caregivers expressed needs for the government for improved support for caregivers. Both countries' caregivers also needed trained formal caregivers. They expressed families being the most helpful support and the most unhelpful support at the same time.

Recommendations: In general, education about the illness and the needs of caregivers, and more day care centers are necessary so that caregivers continue playing a role of caregivers. Specific needs should be addressed in each country.