Caregivers of Adults Living With Alzheimer's Disease or Dementia in 2020: A Secondary Analysis

Abstract

Caregiving for people living with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) can negatively impact caregivers' health and well-being. The purpose of this secondary analysis was to describe the characteristics of ADRD caregivers in the Caregiving in the U.S. 2020 dataset, and to compare caregiving activities, including activities of daily living (ADLs), instrumental ADLs (IADLs), and health care–related tasks between ADRD caregivers and non-ADRD caregivers. This study included 410 ADRD caregivers and 921 non-ADRD caregivers. ADRD caregivers reported higher levels of burden; a greater number of ADLs and IADLs performed for care recipients; higher emotional, physical, and financial strain; and more difficulty in taking care of their own health than non-ADRD caregivers. ADRD caregivers reported a greater level of lack of support from health care professionals and unmet needs for knowledge and resources for caregiving than non-ADRD caregivers. Developing a comprehensive ADRD care model and health policies is warranted to provide easier access to health care and community resources for caregivers' health and well-being. [ Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 48 (9), 15–25.]