Effects of Caring for People with Alzheimer’s Disease: A Study on Formal and Informal Caregivers

Abstract

Objective.
To determine the psychological effects of caring, related to depression and subjective work overload
in a sample of 62 formal and 53 family caregivers of Alzheimer’s disease patients, in Bucaramanga and its
metropolitan area; becoming familiar with their coping strategies and comparing their scores in depression
and burden.
Method.
A non - experimental, cross - sectional, descriptive and comparative study was carried
out , using the State - Trait Depression Inventory, the Zarit Burden Interview, and the Coping Strategies Scale
CSS-R. The frequencies of the occurrence of each variable were analyzed, and the scores of the groups
compared.
Results.
The presence of a state of Euthymia was found in 36% of the informal, and 21% of the
formal caregivers. Also, 58.5% of the informal and 33.9% of the formal caregivers presented high levels
of work overload, and the coping strategy most used by both groups was religion. Statistically significant
differences were found between levels of work overload in both groups.
Conclusion.
It is necessary to explore
the relationship between the negative effects of caring, and personal and socio - demographic factors. It is also
necessary to analyze the relationship between the coping strategies used by participants, and their level of
involvement.