Perceived Importance of Types and Characteristics of Support to Informal Caregivers among Spouse Caregivers of Persons with Dementia in Sweden: A Cross-Sectional Questionnaire-Based Study

Marcus F. Johansson (), Kevin J. McKee, Lena Dahlberg, Christine L. Williams and Lena Marmstål Hammar
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Marcus F. Johansson: School of Health and Welfare, Dalarna University, 791 88 Falun, Sweden
Kevin J. McKee: School of Health and Welfare, Dalarna University, 791 88 Falun, Sweden
Lena Dahlberg: School of Health and Welfare, Dalarna University, 791 88 Falun, Sweden
Christine L. Williams: Christine E Lynn College of Nursing, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USA
Lena Marmstål Hammar: School of Health, Care and Social Welfare, Mälardalen University, 721 23 Västerås, Sweden

IJERPH, 2024, vol. 21, issue 10, 1-16

Abstract: Informal caregivers play a crucial role in the care of individuals with dementia, and their caregiving may significantly impact their own health and well-being. This cross-sectional survey study focuses on the perceived importance of various types and characteristics of formal support in a convenience sample of caregivers aged 65 years or older (N = 175) caring for a spouse with dementia. Participants completed a questionnaire containing 17 items describing different types of support and 12 items describing different characteristics of support, rating their importance. The questionnaire also contained questions on various caregiving-related factors. Principle components analysis (PCA) was carried out on the importance ratings, separately, on the types of support items and the characteristics of support items. Each PCA produced three components. For types of support, they were Proficiency and Opportunity, Supportive Structures, Flexible Counselling. For characteristics of support, they included Respectful and Competent, Timely Support, and Accessible and Acceptable. The three characteristics of the support components all had higher mean importance ratings than the three types of support components. The content of some components indicated that while spouse caregivers rate support for their caregiving needs as important, they may not always differentiate their own needs from those of their partner with dementia. The negative impact of caregiving was the factor most strongly and consistently associated with the components’ importance ratings. This study emphasizes the need for health and social care providers to address the unique needs of spouse caregivers while simultaneously ensuring the delivery of quality care for individuals with dementia.

Keywords: spouse caregivers; dementia; community-living; caregiver support (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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