Table 2 Results from the caregiver questionnaires
From: Identifying the needs of natural caregivers caring for a person with dementia: a mixed method study
Question | n/N (%) |
|---|---|
Do you have the same GP as your loved one? | |
Yes | 40/67 (60) |
No | 27/67 (40) |
Does your GP know that you are a caregiver? | |
Yes | 49/65 (75) |
No | 16/65 (25) |
If not, why not? | |
He is not the GP for the person I care for | 11/16 (69) |
I have never spoken to him about it | 8/16 (50) |
I always come to consultations without the person I care for | 8/16 (50) |
I rarely see my GP | 8/16 (50 |
It is difficult to discuss with my GP | 1/16 (6) |
Has your GP informed you about Alzheimer’s disease? | |
Yes | 31/47 (66) |
No | 16/47 (34) |
If yes, you were given information about: | |
The disease itself | 24/31 (77) |
Progression | 18/31 (58) |
Treatments | 11/31 (35) |
Support | 11/31 (35) |
If not, would you have liked information on these subjects? | |
Yes | 8/16 (50 |
No | 8/16 (50) |
Does your GP discuss difficulties you experience in connection with your caregiver role? | |
Yes | 27/46 (59) |
No | 19/46 (41) |
If you have the same GP as your loved one, these difficulties are discussed: | |
During a consultation dedicated to your role as a caregiver and its impact on your health | 6/25 (24) |
During a consultation for another reason | 12/25 (48) |
During a consultation for your loved one | 14/25 (56) |
If you have a different GP to your loved one, these difficulties are discussed: | |
During a consultation for another reason | 5/5 (100) |
Never | 0/0 (0) |
Does your GP check for psychological difficulties? | |
Yes | 24/46 (52) |
No | 22/46 (48) |
If yes, what help does your GP offer you? | |
Medicines (anxiolytics, sleeping pills, antidepressants) | 9/24 (38) |
Listening and psychological support | 10/24 (42) |
Psychological support from a psychologist | 4/24 (17) |
Increased number of home visits | 5/24 (21) |
None | 7/24 (29) |
If not, would you like your GP to discuss these difficulties? | |
Yes | 10/19 (53) |
No | 9/19 (47) |
Did your GP provide information about discussion groups, caregiver support and training? | |
Yes | 11/43 (26) |
No | 32/43 (74) |
Have you benefited from any of these? | |
Yes | 23/47 (49) |
No | 24/47 (41) |
Did your GP inform you about the French Alzheimer’s Association in your region? | |
Yes | 18/44 (41) |
No | 26/44 (59) |
Did your GP inform you about facilities for your loved one (day care centres, temporary accommodation etc.)? | |
Yes | 22/47 (47) |
No | 25/47 (53) |
Did your GP refer you to a social worker for support and assistance? | |
Yes | 14/45 (31) |
No | 31/45 (69) |
Has your GP offered you a support plan for your loved one? | |
Yes | 13/46 (28) |
No | 33/46 (72) |
If yes, it includes | |
A home nurse | 5/16 (31) |
Bathing assistance | 8/13 (62) |
A housekeeper | 13/13 (100) |
Meal delivery | 5/16 (31) |
Guardianship/legal protection/family authorisation | 1/16 (6) |
Temporary accommodation in a respite facility | 5/16 (31) |
Home nursing services | 5/16 (31) |
Have you had difficulty accepting outside help in your home? | |
Yes | 14/63 (22) |
No | 29/63 (46) |
Not applicable | 20/63 (32) |
If yes, what difficulties did you encounter? | |
Your loved one refuses outside help | 9/13 (69) |
Outsiders coming to the house disturbs your loved one | 3/13 (23) |
You don’t feel you need help | 4/13 (31) |
The outside help is perceived as an intrusion | 7/13 (54) |
Financial cost | 6/13 (46) |
Restrictions associated with the times the helpers can come | 4/13 (31) |
The guilt of letting someone else take care of your loved one | 5/13 (38) |
The fear that it will be badly done or that something will happen in your absence | 2/13 (15) |
It is never the same person who comes to help | 4/13 (31) |
Other | 2/13 (15) |
Is you GP a resource to help you with your caring role? | |
Yes | 35/62 (56) |
No | 27/62 (44) |