Factors Influencing Quality of Caregiving by Caregivers for Elders with Dementia

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The aim of the study is to determine factors influencing quality of caregiving by caregivers for the elderly with dementia. METHODS: Data were collected from 87 caregivers for elders with dementia who had visited in Busan Metropolitan Center for Dementia and D-University hospital outpatient center from July 10 to September 30, 2015. A self-reported questionnaire was used to assess the severity of the elders' dementia and knowledge of dementia, burdens and quality of caregiving by the caregivers. The SPSS 21.0 version program was used for data analysis. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation, t-test, ANOVA and multiple regression. RESULTS: Significant predictors of quality of caregiving by caregivers included caregivers' burdens (explanation power 25%), knowledge of dementia (explanation power 4%) and levels of education (explanation power 3%). These factors explained 32.3% of the variances in quality of caregiving. CONCLUSION: Burdens on caregivers were a major factor that decreased quality of caregiving, and knowledge of dementia was a factor that increased it. These findings show that educational programs and intervention for reducing burdens and improving knowledge of dementia are necessary to improve quality of caregiving by caregivers.