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Problems Reported by Relatives in a Community Study of Dementia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

D. W. O'Connor ,
P. A. Pollitt ,
M. Roth ,
C. P. B. Brook  and
B. B. Reiss
D. W. O'Connor*
Affiliation:
Hughes Hall, Cambridge CB1 2EW
P. A. Pollitt
Affiliation:
University of Cambridge
M. Roth
Affiliation:
University of Cambridge
C. P. B. Brook
Affiliation:
Fulbourn Hospital
*
∗ Correspondence
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Abstract

The supporters of 120 demented elderly people completed rating scales of the frequency and severity of the problems they faced, the amount of strain they experienced and their psychological well-being. Problems and strain increased with the degree of dementia. Problems relating to physical dependency, forgetfulness and inertia were relatively common, while disturbed behaviours were relatively uncommon. Physical dependency and disturbed behaviour were less well tolerated than forgetfulness and inertia, but all problem categories were positively associated with measures of strain. Wives reported more problems and strain than husbands, and co-resident children were under greater strain than children who lived independently.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 156 , Issue 6 , June 1990 , pp. 835 - 841
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1990 

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