Anxiety and depression in caregivers of elderly with Alzheimer

 Caring for elderly with Alzheimer can lead to the development or exacerbation of many physical and psychological problems for caregivers. The purpose of this study was to assess the anxiety and depression in caregivers of elderly with Alzheimer.

This was a cross-sectional study of 315 caregivers of elderly people with Alzheimer in Tehran, Iran. Data were collected by demographic questionnaire, the Beck Anxiety Inventory and the Beck Depression Inventory. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis.

The mean and standard deviation of caregivers’ anxiety was 12.61± 10.48 which was significantly higher in women than men (p = 0.004). The mean and standard deviation of caregivers’ depression was 13.23 ± 9.52 which was significantly higher in women than men (p = 0.001). The results of t-test and one-way analysis of variance showed that there was a significant difference between total anxiety score by gender, caregiver-to-elderly ratio, health status and caregivers’ income status (p = 0.001). There was also a significant difference between the overall score of depression and marital status, gender, income and caregivers health status (p = 0.001).

The study showed that Alzheimer's caregivers experience mild to moderate levels of anxiety and depression. The findings suggest strategic planning to increase social support among Alzheimer's caregivers is essential.