Relationship between caregiver characteristics and the reported quality of life of people with mild and moderate dementia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15649/cuidarte.4646Keywords:
Informal Caregivers, Dementia, Caregiver Burden, Executive FunctionAbstract
Highlights
- The quality of life (QoL) of individuals with dementia also depends on the characteristics and capabilities of their informal caregivers.
- The caregivers’ QoL is also shaped by the QoL of individuals with dementia.
- Inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility have an impact on the competence of informal caregivers.
- Supporting and enhancing the QoL of caregivers is essential for improving the management of dementia in patients.
Introduction: Individuals with dementia are typically cared for at home by a family member who provides informal care, a role that can negatively affect their quality of life (QoL) and caregiving performance, thereby impacting the QoL of the person with dementia. Objective: To examine the relationship between caregiver characteristics and the QoL reported by individuals with mild or moderate dementia. Materials and Methods: This quantitative, cross-sectional, correlational study involved 50 dyads comprising individuals with mild to moderate dementia and their caregivers. The variables assessed were the QoL of the person with dementia, caregiver competence, caregiver burden, caregiver QoL, attention, cognitive flexibility, inhibitory control, decision-making, and working memory. Results: The study found significant correlations between caregiver competence, QoL, and burden/stress with the QoL of individuals with dementia. Executive function (inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility) was significantly associated with caregiver competence. Discussion: Caregiver QoL is positively associated with the QoL of individuals with dementia; therefore, enhancing caregiver-related characteristics contributes to effective disease management and the well-being of the person with dementia. Conclusions: The study demonstrates the impact of informal caregivers’ competence, burden, and executive function on the QoL of individuals with dementia.
How to cite this article: Alvarez Polo Mabel Tatiana, Sanchez Guarnizo Rudy Marcela, Gómez Morales Duván Fernando, Bonilla-Santos Jasmin. Relationship between caregiver characteristics and the reported quality of life of people with mild and moderate dementia. Revista Cuidarte. 2025;16(2):e4646. https://doi.org/10.15649/cuidarte.4646
References
Organización Mundial de la Salud. Demencia 2023 Consulta: Agosto 30, 2024. Disponible en: https://www.who.int/es/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dementia
Ministerio de Salud y Protección Social. Reportes Salud Mental. Indicador de Demencia. 2022. Consulta: Agosto 30, 2024 Disponible en: https://rssvr2.sispro.gov.co/ObsSaludMental/
Bonilla-Santos J, González-Hernández A, Yisela Cala-Martínez D, Fernando Gómez-Morales D, Natalia Calceto-Garavito L, Eduardo Forero-Aldana A, et al. Prevalence of Mild Cognitive Impairment in Southern Regions of Colombia. J Alzheimer’s Dis Reports. 2023;7:1455–64. https://doi.org/10.3233/ADR-230041
Alzheimer's Association. 2015 Alzheimer’s disease facts and figures. Alzheimer’s & Dementia. 2015;11:332–84. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jalz.2015.02.003
Gaugler J, James B, Johnson T, Scholz K, Weuve J. Alzheimer’s disease facts and figures. Alzheimer’s Dement. 2016;12:459–509. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jalz.2016.03.001
Brodaty H, Donkin M. Family caregivers of people with dementia. Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2009;11(2):217–28. https://doi.org/10.31887/DCNS.2009.11.2/hbrodaty
Gérain P, Zech E. Informal Caregiver burnout? Development of a theoretical framework to understand the impact of caregiving. Front Psychol. 2019;10:1748. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01748
Liu S, Li C, Shi Z, Wang X, Zhou Y, Liu S, et al. Caregiver burden and prevalence of depression, anxiety and sleep disturbances in Alzheimer’s disease caregivers in China. J Clin Nurs. 2017;26(9-10):1291–300. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.13601
Nasrun MWS, Kusumaningrum P, Redayani P, Lahino HL, Mardhiyah FS, Basfiansa AD, et al. Relationship between Quality of Life of People with Dementia and Their Caregivers in Indonesia. J Alzheimer’s Dis. 2021;81(3):1311–20. https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-201550
Cheon H, Song JA, Kim J, Jung S. The Competence Scale in Managing Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (CS-MBPSD) for family caregivers: Instrument development and cross-sectional validation study. Journal of Alzheimer's disease. 2022;129:104205. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2022.104205
Q Quinn C, Nelis SM, Martyr A, Morris RG, Victor C, Clare L. Caregiver influences on ‘living well’ for people with dementia: Findings from the IDEAL study. Aging Ment Health. 2020;24(9):1505-1513. https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2019.1602590
Chan CY, Cheung G, Martinez-Ruiz A, Chau PYK, Wang K, Yeoh EK, et al. Caregiving burnout of community-dwelling people with dementia in Hong Kong and New Zealand: a cross-sectional study. BMC Geriatr. 2021;21:261. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-021-02153-6
Falzarano F, Siedlecki KL. Differences in cognitive performance between informal caregivers and non-caregivers. Neuropsychol Dev Cogn B Aging Neuropsychol Cogn. 2021;28(2):284-307. https://doi.org/10.1080/13825585.2020.1749228
Vitaliano PP, Ustundag O, Borson S. Objective and Subjective Cognitive Problems among Caregivers and Matched Non-caregivers. Gerontologist. 2017;57(4):637–647. https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnv690
Liu Z, Heffernan C, Tan J. Caregiver burden: A concept analysis. Int J Nurs Sci. 2020;7(4):438-445. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnss.2020.07.012
Hawkley L, Zheng B, Hedberg EC, Huisingh-Scheetz M, Waite L. Cognitive Limitations in Older Adults Receiving Care Reduces Well-Being Among Spouse Caregivers. Psychol Aging. 2020;35(1):28-40. https://doi.org/10.1037/pag0000406
Hernández-Padilla JM, Ruiz-Fernández MD, Granero-Molina J, Ortíz-Amo R, López Rodríguez MM, Fernández-Sola C. Perceived health, caregiver overload and perceived social support in family caregivers of patients with Alzheimer’s: Gender differences. Health Soc Care Community. 2021;29(4):1001–9. https://doi.org/10.1111/hsc.13134
Corrêa MS, Giacobbo BL, Vedovelli K, Lima DBd, Ferrari P, Argimon IIdL, et al. Age Effects on Cognitive and Physiological Parameters in Familial Caregivers of Alzheimer’s Disease Patients. PLoS One. 2016;11(10):e0162619. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0162619
Farina N, Page TE, Daley S, Brown A, Bowling A, Basset T, et al. Factors associated with the quality of life of family carers of people with dementia: A systematic review. Alzheimer’s Dement. 2017;13(5):572–81. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jalz.2016.12.010
Dalpai D, Reis RC, de Pádua AC de. Effect of caregiver characteristics on dementia management strategies. Dement Neuropsychol. 2016;10(2):143-147. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1980-5764-2016DN1002010
Schulz R, Cook TB, Beach SR, Lingler JH, Martire LM, Monin JK, et al. Magnitude and Causes of Bias Among Family Caregivers Rating Alzheimer Disease Patients. The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. 2013;21(1):14-25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jagp.2012.10.002
Cerquera Córdoba AM, Dugarte Peña E, Tiga Loza DC, Plata Osma LJ, Castellanos Suárez L, Álvarez Anaya WA. Factores que influyen en la sobrecarga de cuidadores informales de pacientes con Trastorno Neurocognitivo debido a enfermedad de Alzheimer. Univ Psychol .2021;20:1–11. https://doi.org/10.11144/Javeriana.upsy20.fisc
Guerrero-Gaviria D, Carreño SP, Chaparro-Diaz OL. Sobrecarga del cuidador familiar en Colombia: revisión sistemática exploratoria. Rev Colomb Enfermería. 2023;22(1):e053–e053. https://doi.org/10.18270/rce.v22i1.3754
Perdomo CAR, Cantillo-Medina CP, Perdomo-Romero AY. Care competence and its impact on the quality of life of caregivers. ACTA Paul Enferm. 2022;35:eAPE02132. http://dx.doi.org/10.37689/acta-ape/2022AO02132
de Oliveira DC, Vass CD, Aubeeluck A. Ageing and quality of life in family carers of people with dementia being cared for at home: a literature review. Qual Prim Care. 2015;23(1):1479-1064. https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/755480
Hernández R, Fernández C, Baptista P. Metodología de la investigación. 6a Ed. España: McGraw-Hill;2014.
Sampieri R. Metodología de la investigación: las rutas cuantitativa, cualitativa y mixta. España: McGraw-Hill; 2018.
Reisberg B, Ferris SH, De Leon MJ, Crook T. The global deterioration scale for assessment of primary degenerative dementia. American Journal of Psychiatry. 1982;139(9):1136–9. https://doi.org/10.1176/ajp.139.9.1136
Zacharopoulou G, Zacharopoulou V, Lazakidou A. Quality of Life for Caregivers of Elderly Patients with Dementia and Measurement Tools: A Review. International Journal Of Health Research and Innovation. 2015;3:49-64. https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:76424098
Raccichini A, Spazzafumo L, Castellani S, Civerchia P, Pelliccioni G, Scarpino O. Living With Mild to Moderate Alzheimer Patients Increases the Caregiver’s Burden at 6 Months. Am J Alzheimers Dis Other Demen. 2015;30(5):463-467. https://doi.org/10.1177/1533317514568339
Rosas-Carrasco Ó, Torres-Arreola LdP, Guerra-Silla MdG, Torres-Castro S, Gutierrez-Robledo LM. Validation of the Quality of Life in Alzheimer’s Disease (QOL-AD) scale in Mexican patients with Alzheimer, vascular and mixed-type dementia. Rev Neurol. 2010;51(2):72–80. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20602312/
Carrillo-González GM, Barreto-Osorio RV, Arboleda LB, Gutiérrez-Lesmes OA, Melo BG, Támara Ortiz V. Competencia para cuidar en el hogar de personas con enfermedad crónica y sus cuidadores en Colombia. Revista de la Facultad de Medicina. 2015;63(4):665–75. https://doi.org/10.15446/revfacmed.v63.n4.50322
Organización Mundial de la Salud. Programas nacionales de lucha contra el cáncer : directrices sobre política y gestión : resumen de orientación. 2002. p. 84–86. Consulta: Agosto 30, 2024. https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/42529
Cardona-Arias JA, Ospina-Franco LC, Eljadue-Alzamora AP. Validez discriminante, convergente/divergente, fiabilidad y consistencia interna, del WHOQOL-BREF y el MOSSF-36 en adultos sanos de un municipio colombiano. Revista Facultad Nacional de Salud Pública. 2015;33(1):50-7. https://doi.org/10.17533/udea.rfnsp.15865
Zarit SH, Bottigi K, Gaugler JE. Caregivers, Stress and. Encycl Stress. 2007:416–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-012373947-6.00071-4
Martin-Carrasco M, Otermin P, Pérez-Camo V, Pujol J, Agüera L, Martín MJ, et al. EDUCA study: Psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale. Aging Ment Health. 2010;14(6):705–11. https://doi.org/10.1080/13607860903586094
Arango Lasprilla J Carlos, Rivera Diego. Neuropsicología en Colombia: datos normativos, estado actual y retos a futuro. Manizales (Colombia): Editorial UAM; 2015.
Wechsler D. WAIS-IV: Escala Wechsler de inteligencia para adultos-IV. 4ta Ed. México: Editorial El Manual Moderno; 2008.
Geurts HM, Corbett B, Solomon M. The paradox of cognitive flexibility in autism. Trends Cogn Sci. 2009;13(2):74-82. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2008.11.006
Bechara A, Tranel D, Damasio H. Characterization of the decision-making deficit of patients with ventromedial prefrontal cortex lesions. Brain. 2000;123(11):2189–202. https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/123.11.2189
Flores E, Rivas E, Seguel F. Nivel de sobrecarga en el desempeño del rol del cuidador familiar de adulto mayor con dependencia severa. Cienc y enfermería. 2012;18(1):29–41. http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0717-95532012000100004
Baddeley AD, Hitch G. Working Memory. Psychol Learn Motiv - Adv Res Theory. 1974; 8:47–89. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0079-7421(08)60452-1
Barrera MAM. Uso de la correlación de spearman en un estudio de intervención en fisioterapia. Mov científico. 2014;8(1):98–104. https://doi.org/10.33881/2011-7191.mct.08111
Alvarez M, Sanchez R, Gómez D, Bonilla J. Influencia de cuidadores en la calidad de vida de personas con demencia. figshare; 2024. https://figshare.com/articles/dataset/_b_Influencia_de_cuidadores_en_la_calidad_de_vida_de_personas_con_demencia_b_/28009319/2
Barbe C, Jolly D, Morrone I, Wolak-Thierry A, Dramé M, Novella JL, et al. Factors associated with quality of life in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. BMC Geriatr. 2018;18:159. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-018-0855-7
Nemcikova M, Katreniakova Z, Nagyova I. Social support, positive caregiving experience, and caregiver burden in informal caregivers of older adults with dementia. Front Public Health. 2023;11:1104250. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1104250
Nasreen HE, Tyrrell M, Vikström S, Craftman Å, Syed Ahmad SAB, Zin NM, et al. Caregiver burden, mental health, quality of life and self-efficacy of family caregivers of persons with dementia in Malaysia: baseline results of a psychoeducational intervention study. BMC Geriatr. 2014;24:1–12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-024-05221-9
Reed C, Belger M, Andrews JS, Tockhorn-Heidenreich A, Jones RW, Wimo A, et al. Factors associated with long-term impact on informal caregivers during Alzheimer’s disease dementia progression: 36-month results from GERAS. Int Psychogeriatrics. 2020;32(2):267–77. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1041610219000425
Bonilla-Santos J, Calceto-Garavito LN, Cala-Martínez DY, Gonzalez-Hernández A. Influencia del cuidador en el declive cognitivo y funcional de personas con demencia: revisión sistemática. Med Fam Semer. 2021;47(7):488–94. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.semerg.2021.07.003
Beydoun MA, Beydoun HA, Gamaldo AA, Teel A, Zonderman AB, Wang Y. Epidemiologic studies of modifiable factors associated with cognition and dementia: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Public Health. 2014;14:643. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-14-643
Letenneur L, Gilleron V, Commenges D, Helmer C, Orgogozo JM, Dartigues JF. Are sex and educational level independent predictors of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease? Incidence data from the PAQUID project. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1999;66(2):177-183. https://doi.org/10.1136/jnnp.66.2.177
Galvis M. J, , Cerquera Córdoba A. M. Relación entre depresión y sobrecarga en cuidadores de pacientes con demencia tipo alzhéimer. Psicología desde el Caribe. 2016;33:190-205. http://dx.doi.org/10.14482/psdc.33.2.6307
Igado Vilanova M. Cuidando a una persona con alzheimer. Impacto en la calidad de vida del cuidador principal. NPunto. 2021;45:56-81. https://www.npunto.es/revista/45/cuidando-a-una-persona-con-alzheimer-impacto-en-la-calidad-de-vida-del-cuidador-principal
Wang L, Zhou Y, Fang X, Qu G. Care burden on family caregivers of patients with dementia and affecting factors in China: A systematic review. Front Psychiatry. 2022;13:1004552. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1004552
Lindeza P, Rodrigues M, Costa J, Guerreiro M, Rosa MM. Impact of dementia on informal care: a systematic review of family caregivers’ perceptions. BMJ Support Palliat Care. 2024;14(1):38–49. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjspcare-2020-002242
Quinn C, Nelis SM, Martyr A, Victor C, Morris RG, Clare L. Influence of Positive and Negative Dimensions of Dementia Caregiving on Caregiver Well-Being and Satisfaction With Life: Findings From the IDEAL Study. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2019;27(8):838–848. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jagp.2019.02.005
Nogueira MML, Neto JPS, Sousa MFB, Santos RL, Rosa RDL, Belfort T, et al. Spouse-caregivers’ quality of life in Alzheimer’s disease. Int Psychogeriatr. 2015;27(5):837–845. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1041610214002646
Fabà J, Villar F, Giuliani MF. Development of a measure to evaluate gains among spanish dementia caregivers: The gains associated with caregiving (GAC) scale. Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2017;68:76–83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.archger.2016.09.004
Bressan V, Visintini C, Palese A. What do family caregivers of people with dementia need? A mixed-method systematic review. Health Soc Care Community. 2020;28(6):1942–60. https://doi.org/10.1111/hsc.13048
Toribio-Díaz ME, Medrano-Martínez V, Moltó-Jordá JM, Beltrán-Blasco I. Characteristics of informal caregivers of patients with dementia in Alicante province. Neurol. 2013;28(2):95–102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nrl.2012.03.010
Muñoz-Contreras MC, Segarra I, López-Román FJ, Galera RN, Cerdá B. Role of caregivers on medication adherence management in polymedicated patients with Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia. Front Public Heal. 2022;10:987936. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.987936
Balasubramanian I, Poco LC, Andres EB, Chaudhry I, Østbye T, Malhotra C. Caregiver coping mediates the relationship between caregivers’ understanding of dementia as terminal and their distress. Alzheimer’s Dement. 2024;20(9):6606-6614. https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.14102
Millenaar JK, Bakker C, Koopmans RTCM, Verhey FRJ, Kurz A, de Vugt ME. The care needs and experiences with the use of services of people with young-onset dementia and their caregivers: a systematic review. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2016;31(12):1261–76. https://doi.org/10.1002/gps.4502
Martyr A, Nelis SM, Quinn C, Wu YT, Lamont RA, Henderson C, et al. Living well with dementia: a systematic review and correlational meta-analysis of factors associated with quality of life, well-being and life satisfaction in people with dementia. Psychol Med. 2018;48(13):2130-2139. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291718000405
O’Conor R, Russell AM, Pack A, Oladejo D, Filec S, Rogalski E, et al. Managing medications among individuals with mild cognitive impairment and dementia: Patient-caregiver perspectives. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2024;72(10):3011–21. https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.19065
Woods RT, Nelis SM, Martyr A, Roberts J, Whitaker CJ, Markova I, et al. What contributes to a good quality of life in early dementia? Awareness and the QoL-AD: A cross-sectional study. Health Qual Life Outcomes. 2014;12:1–11. https://hqlo.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1477-7525-12-94
Takai M, Takahashi M, Iwamitsu Y, Oishi S, Miyaoka H. Subjective experiences of family caregivers of patients with dementia as predictive factors of quality of life. Psychogeriatrics. 2011;11(2):98–104. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1479-8301.2011.00354.x
Corrêa MS, de Lima DB, Giacobbo BL, Vedovelli K, Argimon II de L, Bromberg E. Mental health in familial caregivers of Alzheimer’s disease patients: are the effects of chronic stress on cognition inevitable?. Stress. 2019;22(1):83–92. https://doi.org/10.1080/10253890.2018.1510485
Palma KAXA, Balardin JB, Vedana G, De Lima Argimon II, Luz C, Schröder N, et al. Emotional memory deficit and its psychophysiological correlate in family caregivers of patients with dementia. Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord. 2011;25(3):262–8. https://doi.org/10.1097/WAD.0b013e318209e453
Dassel KB, Schmitt FA. The impact of caregiver executive skills on reports of patient functioning. Gerontologist. 2008;48(6):781–92. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/48.6.781
McCabe M, You E, Tatangelo G. Hearing Their Voice: A Systematic Review of Dementia Family Caregivers’ Needs. Gerontologist. 2016;56(5):70–88. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnw078
Carrillo GM, Gómez OJ, Aldana EA, Barrera SY, Rodríguez KA. Competencia para el cuidado (CUIDAR) en el hogar de personas con enfermedad renal crónica en hemodiálisis. Enfermería Nefrológica. 2016;19(3):265–73. https://doi.org/10.4321/S2254-28842016000300009
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Downloads
Issue
Section
Categories
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Revista Cuidarte
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Journal Cuidarte, scientific publication of open access, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY-NC), which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited and is not used for commercial purposes.
Any other form of use such as reproduction, transformation, public communication or distribution, for profit, requires the prior authorization of the University of Santander UDES.
The names and e-mail addresses entered in the Journal Cuidarte will be used exclusively for the purposes stated by this magazine and will not be available for any other purpose or other person.
The articles published in the Journal Cuidarte represent the criteria of their authors and do not necessarily constitute the official opinion of the University of Santander UDES.
