ObjectiveTo explore the prevalence of anxiety symptoms and its related factors among the family caregivers of the disabled elderly. MethodsA cross-sectional survey based on convenience sampling was conducted among family caregivers between November and December, 2013 in Dongcheng district in Beijing. The Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and the Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS) were used to evaluate caregivers' anxious symptoms and social support status respectively. The degree of functional impairment of the elderly was measured by Barthel index. ResultsA total of 243 family caregivers took part in the study including 88 males and 155 females. The average age of the family caregivers was (60±1.7) years old, ranging from 25 to 85. The prevalence rate of anxiety was 29.2% reported by family caregivers. The average score of SAS was 35.6±8.6. The risk factors of caregivers' anxiety included Barthel index score ≤20 (OR=1.51), SSRS score ≤33 (OR=4.56), no time to relax (OR=1.57) and poor health status caregivers feeling (OR=3.48). ConclusionA relative high level of anxiety exists in family caregivers for the disabled elderly. Caregiver anxiety is a complex process, influenced by diverse care receiver and caregiver characteristics.
ObjectiveTo investigate the quality of life of family caregivers of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and to explore the related factors. MethodsTwenty family caregivers of patients with Alzheimer's disease were surveyed with short form 36 health survey questionnaire between October 2013 and August 2014. ResultsThe subjects who were over 60 years old had lower scores in the dimensions of physical functioning, role limitations due to physical problem and role limitations due to emotional problem than those below 60 years old. Female subjects scored better than male subjects in the dimension of vitality. The sons and daughters had higher scores than the wives and husbands in the dimensions of physical functioning, role limitations due to physical problem and role limitations due to emotional problem. The subjects whose patients had medical insurance scored better than those whose patients with no insurance. The differences above were all statistically significant. The scores of caregivers with senior middle school edudation or above were higher than the caregivers with lower education level in the dimensions of mental health, vitality and general health perceptions. ConclusionThe quality of life of the family members of AD patients is obviously affected by many factors. It is very important to implement planned, targeted, reasonable and effective interventions to enhance the quality of life of these people.