Evaluation of an Assessment Battery for Estimating Dementia Caregiver Needs for Health and Social Care Services

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to examine a battery of questionnaires for assessing the personal resources and vulnerabilities of family caregivers of persons with dementia (Alzheimer or other). METHODS: A cross-sectional survey design was used to obtain dementia caregiver responses to questionnaires that targeted caregiver stress response, physical/mental health status, self-efficacy, personality, and social support. RESULTS: A personality factor (neuroticism) explained over 20% of the variance in caregiver mental health status and depression. With caregiver distress as the dependent variable, personality and self-efficacy accounted for 15% to 17% of the explained variance. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that measures of personality factors, self-efficacy, mental health status, and distress response could be used for assessing caregiver vulnerabilities and health service needs. This individualized approach could ensure allocation of multicomponent intervention programs that have been shown to be more effective in sustaining caregiver role functions.