Abstract

Background: To analyze the current state of the care burden of dementia caregivers and determine the influencing factors.

Methods: Using a questionnaire survey, 600 family caregivers of older adults with dementia from five communities in Ningbo were investigated from March to August 2022.

Results: The average score of care burden of dementia was 52.36 ± 12.08. The total score for social support for older adults with dementia ranged from 19 to 56, with an average score of 34.79 ± 9.54. The total score of social support and the score of each dimension were negatively correlated with the total
score of care burden and the score of each dimension, with correlation coefficients between 0.490 and 0.689 (p < 0.05). Six factors affecting the burden of care for family caregivers of older adults with dementia were total social support score, dementia level, monthly family income, years of care, educational
level, and duration of daily care for older adults with dementia (all p < 0.001).

Conclusion: The care burden of caregivers of older adults with dementia is significant and has many influencing factors. Therefore, it is necessary to relieve the care burden of family caregivers through educational support programs, self-efficacy training of caregivers, breathing care services, and psychological
counseling to improve their quality of life and relieve the pressure of caregiving.