AbstractIntroduction: Dementia caregivers '(DCGs') physical and mental wellbeing are seriously impacted by the conditions of caregiving, often contributing to further hospitalizations, higher drug use, and higher mortality rate relative to non-caregiving peers.
Materials and Methods: The convenience study included caregivers of a dementia family member who attended an adult day center in a rural/suburban town in the Midwest where there was a clinical rotation for the students. The adult day center provides services regardless of race, religion, gender, or financial means.
Results: Fifty percent were employed outside the home. On average, the participant’s pro- vided care for four years and brought their family member to the adult day center for approximately one year. One-half of the caregivers (45 %) were responsible for the care of some- one else and received assistance in the caregiver role (55 %) beyond the adult day center.
Conclusion: There is a growing recognition that chronic stress experienced by DCGs is linked to many physiological changes and changes in behavior and function. Clinicians often consider DCGs healthy adults not requiring special care.
