Psychosocial Predictors of Dementia Caregiver Desire to Institutionalize: Caregiver, Care Recipient, and Family Relationship Factors

Abstract

Several factors influence dementia caregiver desire to institutionalize; however, little is known about differences in caregivers who desire institutionalization versus those who do not. The current study compares predictors of desire to institutionalize in dementia caregivers. Seventy-two caregivers completed the Desire to Institutionalize Scale (DIS) and several psychosocial measures, including burden, dementia knowledge, self-efficacy, depression, health, care recipient daily functioning and memory/behavior problems, family functioning, and social support. Based on DIS responses, caregivers were divided into No DI versus DI groups. DI caregivers had significantly higher burden, greater dementia knowledge, more family dysfunction, and decreased social support compared with No DI caregivers. Findings emphasize the importance of caregiver and family relationship variables in DIS, suggesting potentially modifiable targets for caregiver interventions. Dementia knowledge was associated with higher DIS, suggesting that educational programs alone may not be helpful to delay institutionalization.

Identifying opportunities for supporting caregivers of persons with dementia through information and communication technology

“…Research has found that knowledge about dementia can in fact increase desire to institutionalise (DIS) the person with dementia, and so education alone may not be helpful in reducing caregiver burden 24 . There is increasing evidence showing that caregiver self-efficacy is a key factor in minimising burden 25 .…”

Informal Social Support and Caregiver Burden of Caregivers of Elderly with Dementia

“…Other than Chinese belief, family support and relationship for example husband helps in physical activities were very important in lifting the bed ridden demented patient which helps to reduce the caregiver physical burden. Poor family relationship resulting in poor social support was found to be a significant factor in determining the early institutionalization of dementia patients [18] . There was significant association between social support and caregiver burden.…”

Factors Associated with the Health and Well-being of Dementia Caregivers

“…Risk factors for institutionalization include caregiver stress [40], burden [41], the behaviors of the care recipient [42], and ethnicity [43]. A meta-review of 782 studies which examined factors predicting nursing home placement for persons with dementia found that the greater emotional stress of the caregivers, a desire to institutionalize, and feelings of being "trapped" in care responsibilities increased the likelihood of placement [44].…”