Taemeeyapradit et al developed a scale for measuring the burden of caring for a patient with dementia in Thailand. The authors are from Songkhlarajanakarindra Psychiatric Hospital and Prince of Songkla University in Songkhla, Thailand.
Patient selection: dementia
Parameters related to or caused by caring for relative:
(1) need to save money or burdened by debt
(2) other relatives do not share the costs
(3) financial problems
(4) has caused personal health to worsen
(5) have had exacerbations of physical conditions
(6) become ill
(7) not enough time to take care of self
(8) left alone by relatives
(9) patient dependency or constant demands
(10) angry or embarrassed about some of the patient's behaviors
(11) ashamed/guilty about things done to the patient
(12) the relationship with the patient has been a problem
(13) less time to participate in family and social activities
(14) stressed every time when caring for patient
(15) cannot manage the patient's behaviors
(16) do not understand the disease or how to care for the patient
(17) difficulty finding social support
(18) difficulty accessing medical facilities
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Response
|
Points
|
|
none
|
0
|
|
a little
|
1
|
|
moderate
|
2
|
|
a lot
|
3
|
|
greatest
|
4
|
total score =
= SUM(points for all 18 parameters)
Interpretation:
• minimum score: 0
• maximum score: 72
• The higher the score the greater the perceived burden.
• Key burdens identified: psychological, physical and financial.
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Score
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Burden Level
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|
<= 20
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low
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|
21 to 45
|
moderate
|
|
>= 46
|
high
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