Farina, Nicolas, Page, Thomas E, Daley, Stephanie, Brown, Anna, Bowling, Ann, Basset, Thurstine, Livingston, Gill, Knapp, Martin, Murray, Joanna and Banerjee, Sube (2017) Factors associated with the quality of life of family carers of people with dementia: a systematic review. Alzheimer's and Dementia, 13 (5). pp. 572-581. ISSN 1552-5260

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Abstract

Introduction: Family carers of people with dementia are their most important support in practical, personal and economic terms. Carers are vital to maintaining the quality of life (QOL) of people with dementia. This review aims to identify factors related to the QOL of family carers of people with dementia.

Methods: Searches on terms including ‘carers’, ‘dementia’, ‘family’ and ‘quality of life’ in research databases. Findings were synthesised inductively, grouping factors associated with carer QOL into themes.

Results: 909 abstracts were identified. Following screening, lateral searches and quality appraisal, 41 studies (n=5,539) were included for synthesis. Ten themes were identified: demographics; carer-patient relationship; dementia characteristics; demands of caring; carer health; carer emotional wellbeing; support received; carer independence; carer self-efficacy; and future.

Discussion: The quality and level of evidence supporting each theme varied. We need further research on what factors predict carer QOL in dementia and how to measure it.

Item Type:	Article
Schools and Departments:	Brighton and Sussex Medical School > Brighton and Sussex Medical School Brighton and Sussex Medical School > Neuroscience
Subjects:	R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC0321 Neurosciences. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry > RC0438 Psychiatry > RC0512 Psychopathology > RC0513 Psychoses > RC0521 Dementia
Depositing User:	Nicolas Farina
Date Deposited:	05 Jan 2017 11:33
Last Modified:	11 Sep 2017 23:17
URI:	http://srodev.sussex.ac.uk/id/eprint/66037

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