The effect on lifestyle activities of caring for a person with dementia

This study examined the participation in lifestyle activities of spouse caregivers of people with dementia. A sample of 163 couples were stratified by time since diagnosis. Caregivers were more active than their age-sex peers in domestic and service activities, but less active in social activities. Caregivers' domestic activities increased with time since diagnosis, partly offsetting a corresponding decline for patients. Lifestyle activities predicted caregivers' use of respite services. These results demonstrate that providing care for a person with dementia has important consequences for caregiver activity and have implications for how caregivers in need of respite may be identified.