Caregiver Distress In Parkinsonism

Main Category: Caregivers / Homecare
Also Included In: Parkinson's Disease
Article Date: 12 Oct 2006 - 0:00 PDT

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We examined the frequency and degree of caregiver burden in persons with parkinsonism (PWP). Supporting the functioning of caregivers is vital for the successful medical management of individuals with chronic illness and disability. Associations between perceived caregiver burden and physical, cognitive, and functional impairments were assessed with well-established tools for PWP.

Caregiver burden was significantly negatively associated with activities of daily living and motoric difficulties, self-reported sleep, and caregiver coping ability.

Results did not demonstrate an association among mentation, behavior, and mood or between patients' self-reported pain and caregiver burden. An improved understanding of the severity and correlates of caregiver burden in PWPs may allow clinicians to better prioritize treatment strategies for PWP and be more aware of the caregivers' needs.

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