Strain on caregivers of demented elderly people living at home.

Forty-six patients with senile dementia and their primary caregivers were studied. The strain score of the caregiver and the mental and behavioural deviation of the patients were estimated. Memory problems, listlessness, apathetic, critical and demanding behaviour and urinary incontinence were the most disturbing features of the patients. Eighty-five percent of the caregivers felt despair and anger and 75% complained of chronic fatigue. There was a statistical significant correlation between caregivers strain on one hand, and duration of symptoms, degree of dementia and deviation of behaviour on the other hand. Elderly women caring for their husbands and daughters caring for their parents were especially at risk. Future services must concentrate on maintaining the ability of caregivers to proceed the caring task.