Assessing the role of gender differences in dementia caregiver risk

Background: Health outcomes for patients with dementia are largely dependent upon informal caregivers. The quality of life and well-being of the caregiver is an important determinant for providing optimal care. Compared to other conditions, dementia caregivers experience greater dependency, provide more extensive assistance and provide care for a longer time period. With disease progression, caregivers often experience increased emotional stress, depression, health impairments, and financial loss. Gender is an important contextual factor that influences the stress response, coping and access to resources of caregivers. Beyond positing that differences exist in caregiver risk, there is a dearth of current research that explores the role of gender in these processes. The purpose of this study is to assess gender differences in dementia caregiver risk.   Design/Methods: A mixed methods cross-sectional research design was used to assess the role of gender in dementia caregiver risks, experiences and challenges. The quantitative component includes self-administration of 100 questionnaires in a clinical setting. The questionnaire assesses six risk domains: depression, burden, behaviors, support network, safety, and management strategies. The qualitative component includes an analysis of a gender activity and discussion in 6 dementia caregiver support groups. Results: Preliminary data for this study indicates a trend toward significant gender differences in the risk domains of management strategies, behaviors, and support network. Conclusions: The results support the need for development of gender informed caregiver interventions for clinical settings.