The impact of formal and informal support on emotional stress among non-co-resident caregivers of persons with dementia

Abstract

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of formal and informal support between non-co-resident and co-resident family caregivers of persons with dementia and to investigate the impact of receiving formal or informal assistance on family caregivers’ residential status and their perceived emotional stress.

Method

We used secondary data from the 2018 National Survey of Older American Act conducted by the Administration for Community Living. We selected 751 primary family caregivers of persons with dementia and conducted regression analyses to explore our research questions.

Results

Non-co-resident caregivers of persons with dementia were younger, racially and ethnically diverse, employed, and had higher income than co-resident caregivers. They were less likely to utilize formal support, such as caregiver training or education (p = .005) and respite care (p = .019) but more likely to rely on informal support in their social networks (p = .002), compared to co-resident caregivers. Non-co-resident caregivers who had better informal support systems showed less emotional stress than co-resident caregivers (p = .024).

Conclusion

Findings from our study suggest the importance of engaging informal networks to alleviate emotional stress of non-co-resident caregivers of persons with dementia. Furthermore, it is critical to help them utilize adequate caregiver training and education as well as respite care before their loved ones experience dramatic functional and health declines.

Keywords:

• Family caregivers
• education/training
• respite care
• stress process model

Disclosure statement

The authors have no affiliations with or involvement in any organization or entity with any financial interest or non-financial interest in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript.