Factors Influencing the Family Burden of Taking Care of Elderly with Dementia

This study aims to examine how care burden is influenced by certain characteristics of the elderly with dementia and family. To this end, a survey was conducted on family burden of taking care of elderly with dementia in Jeollabuk-do Province. The causal and directional relationship between the factors was investigated based on hierarchical regression analysis. The findings are as follows. First, there were statistical significant differences on social support of caregiver according to living arrangement, relationship of caregiver, and degrees of dementia. There were statistical significant differences on caregiver’s burden according to living arrangement, relationship and gender of caregiver, and degrees of dementia. Second, the effect of factors on caregiver’s burden was examined, and then health status and age, caring time, degrees of dementia, relief or not, and instrumental support in order had differential effects on the caregiver’s burden. Focusing on these findings, practical and political implications were discussed to alleviate the family burden of taking care of elderly with dementia.