Abstract

Aim: This study was conducted to determine burden of care in people who care of patient with dementia and the factors that affect, as descriptive. Method: The study was conducted with 186 caregivers of patient with dementia of 205 caregivers who took health service at neurology polyclinic of a private university and accepted to participate between November 2015 and April 2016. Data was collected with ‘Individual Information From’ included in sociodemographic characteristics of the participants and Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview. Results: It is found that burden care score mean of caregivers was 31.93 and this score changed between 7 and 68. It is determined that burden care of caregivers was moderate level in our study. It is seen that of the patients; 49.5% were between 39-56 years, 68.8% were women, 50.5% were married, 31.7% graduated from primary school, 28.5% were housewife and 52.7% gave care for a long time. In the study, there was a significant difference between burden of care and time of giving care with age of patient, as statistically (p<0,001).

Particularly, by sharing the findings obtained with nurses working in community health and home care services, it is recommended to determine the support factors for caregivers and to plan the care period.

Conclusion: It is suggested that the results should be shared with nurses who works especially in public health and home care services. Thus, supportive factors could be determined and care process could be planned.