Association between severity of dementia, wandering behavior, and caregiver burden among caregivers of persons living with dementia

Abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction: In dementia, wandering is a challenging and distressing behavioral problem. The caregiver burden will differ between the group of persons with dementia with or without wandering behavior. Understanding the difference in caregiver burden between these two groups will help mental health professionals to have a specific care plan for those who have wandering behavior. Methodology: This is descriptive research which attempts to understand the wandering behavior and its association with the caregiver burden. The total sample size was 151. Samples were selected from a tertiary care center. The Revised Algase Wandering Scale Community Version and the Zarit Burden Interview were used to measure wandering and caregiver burden. Results: There was a significant correlation between wandering behavior and caregiver burden (r = 0.582, P = 0.001). Similarly, there was a significant correlation between wandering behavior and the severity of dementia (r = 0.390, P = 0.005). The unique finding of the study was that wandering behavior predicted 30% of caregiver burden. Conclusion: Findings indicate the need to address the wandering behavior to control the caregiver burden.