Who Are Midlife Women Family Caregivers With Negative Attitudes Toward Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Care?

Abstract

Background: Midlife women play a major role as the family caregivers of persons living with Alzheimer's disease (PLAD). Cultural differences are frequently the major reason for the high risk faced by racial and ethnic minority family caregivers. However, little is known about the characteristics of midlife women family caregivers that are linked to their negative attitudes toward Alzheimer's disease and dementia care.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the characteristics of midlife women who were family caregivers of PLAD that were linked to their negative attitudes toward Alzheimer's disease and dementia caregiving.

Methods: A secondary data analysis was conducted using data from 172 midlife women who were family caregivers of PLAD and participated in a large cross-sectional online survey. Linear multiple regression analyses were used for the data analysis.

Results: Participants' attitude toward Alzheimer's disease and related dementia scores were significantly associated with employment status, race/ethnicity (Hispanic), and instrumental activities of daily living. Those who were unemployed, Hispanic, and with low instrumental activities of daily living tended to have negative attitudes toward Alzheimer's disease and dementia care.

Conclusions: Additional interventions should be developed to improve attitudes toward caring for persons with Alzheimer's disease and dementia in this specific group of midlife women who are family caregivers of PLAD.