Caregiving across the U.S.: BRFSS Data Reveal Impact of Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia

Background: Very little is currently known about the prevalence and health impacts of caregiving, especially at the state and local levels and for caregivers of Alzheimer's disease. Population-based caregiving data are needed in order to design programs and policies to address this increasingly important public health issue. Data is now available from three states and the District of Columbia based on their use of the Caregiving Module in the 2009 BRFSS surveys.

Purpose: The purpose is to compare the caregiving experiences, demographic factors, and health behaviors of caregivers who provided care to a person with Alzheimer's disease or dementia – which studies show, is a greater caregiving burden to caregivers who provided care to a person with any other type of health condition or disability.

Methods: The Caregiver Module is available to all states and is designed to collect information about adult caregivers who care for individuals with a disability or chronic condition.

Results: Experiences between caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's or dementia varied with other caregivers. Caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's disease or dementia were more likely to be female, older, and provide more intense care over longer periods of time.

Discussion: The 2009 BRFSS data suggest there may be important differences between caregivers based on whether their care recipients have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or dementia. Caregivers may need targeted interventions to reduce stress and prevent health problems. Greater use of the BRFSS Caregiving Module is needed to more fully assess these needs and differences among caregivers.