The Journal of Korean Society of Community-Based Occupational Therapy Vol.13 No.3 pp.21-34
A Study on Characteristics of People with Dementia and Their Family Caregivers and the Quality of Life for Family Caregivers
Key Words : Family caregiver,Quality of life,Dementia
Abstract
Objective : In this study, we aimed to find out how the general characteristics of people with dementia and their family caregiver's general characteristics affect the quality of life of family caregivers of people with dementia using a quality of life assessment tool for family caregivers of people with dementia. Methods : Data were collected from families of dementia patients diagnosed with dementia through a questionnaire consisting of 7 items related to the people with dementia, 12 items related to the family caregivers of people with dementia, and 23 questions assessing the quality of life of the family caregivers of people with dementia, targeting family members of dementia diagnosed from March 2022 to November of the same year. Using SPSS 25.0 version, an independent samples t test and one-way analysis of variance were performed to identify differences in the general characteristics and general characteristics of people with dementia and their family caregivers. Results : The average quality of life score of the family caregivers of people with dementia who participated in the study was 46.92, and the scores for each subarea were 7.89 for health condition, 5.54 for daily life, 13.81 for work and others, 10.14 for burden, and 9.54 for stress. General characteristics that can affect the quality of life of family caregivers of people with dementia include: if the people with dementia is female with the lower the functional level, the problem behavior due to memory decline, decreased awareness of date and time, and difficulty in handling stool and urine. It was confirmed that the lower the economic level of the family caregivers of people with dementia, the lower the quality of life of the family caregivers of people with dementia, if the relationship with the people with dementia was that of the eldest daughter-in-law, daughter-in-law, or daughter. Conclusion : Through this study, major factors affecting people with dementia and their family caregivers' quality of life were identified. I hope that various organizations will be able to contribute improving policies for family caregivers of people with dementia along with developing education, counseling, and intervention programs for family caregivers of people with dementia.