Who cares for the caregiver? Factors exerting influence on nursing home admissions of demented elderly.

Forty-six demented elderly and their caregivers previously studied with respect to strain on caregivers; were studied one year after the initial assessment with respect to institutionalization. Patients admitted to a nursing home, showed more pronounced mental and behavioural disturbances. Cognitive functions, gender, marital status and living conditions did not differ between the two groups. The caregivers of institutionalized demented were older, they expressed more feelings of anger and despair and more often requested the care receiver transferred to a nursing home.