ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Determine symptoms, correlates, or predictors of depression and anxiety in paid caregivers of elderly persons with dementia. PARTICIPANTS: The 28 participants were paid caregivers of patients attending an adult day-care program for patients with Alzheimer disease. Each participant had a total score of 16+ or a score of 3+ on at least one item of the Problems and Complaints Inventory. MEASUREMENTS: PARTICIPANTS completed the Hamilton Depression (HAM-D) and Anxiety (HAM-A) scales and the Zarit Burden Interview. The total daily and weekly time that caregivers worked with their patients was recorded. RESULTS: Severity of depression (HAM-D scores) was significantly related to Zarit Burden Interview scores (p<0.001). In addition, HAM-D scores tended to be related to the number of hours per week provided by a caregiver (p=0.09). Severity of anxiety (HAM-A scores) tended to be related to Zarit Burden Interview scores (p=0.08). CONCLUSION: These findings indicate the need to devise strategies for alleviating work-related symptoms in paid caregivers.
