Background: Caregiver gain is an important yet less-explored phenomenon. Being conceptually distinct from burden, factors associated with burden and gain can differ. This study aims to explore factors associated with the experience of gains in dementia caregiving. Method: Cross-sectional study involving caregivers recruited from a tertiary hospital dementia clinic and the local Alzheimer’s Association. Caregivers completed a questionnaire containing the following scales: gain in Alzheimer’s care Instrument (GAIN), General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), Dementia Management Strategies Scale (DMSS), Revised Memory and Behavioral Problems Checklist (RMBPC) and Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI). Demographic information for the person with dementia (PWD) and the caregiver was also recorded. Initial screening with univariate analyses (t tests, ANOVAs, Pearson’s correlations) was performed to identify significant (p < 0.05) variables, which were then entered into a multiple regression model to identify variables associated with gain. Result: The final sample comprised 334 caregivers with a mean age of 51.5 years (SD = 10.9, range = 22–85), the majority of whom where Chinese (94.6%) females (71%). Mean GAIN score was 30 (SD = 6.6, range = 7–40). Regression analysis identified 3 factors significantly associated with gains (adjusted R2 32.3%): mental well-being of the caregiver, use of active management as a caregiving strategy, and participation in caregiver educational and support group programmes. Conclusion: The results have important implications for caregiver interventions. Interventions should target maintaining mental well-being, encouraging participation in educational and support programmes, and teaching appropriate coping and dementia specific management strategies to derive good outcomes.

Keywords:
Dementia, Caregiver, Positive outcomes
This content is only available via PDF.
© 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel
2010
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.