Daughters and sons as caregivers for their demented and non-demented elderly parents. A part of a population-based study carried out in Sweden.

Abstract

The study focuses on adult children (n = 81) having the main responsibility for parents with dementia (study group). They were compared with children (n = 102) of non-demented parents (reference group). The children were interviewed about burden experienced. The interviews also secured information about the children's co-operation with the informal and formal network and their willingness to remain as caregivers during the progression of the disease or ageing process. The results showed that the daughters reported feeling more affection in their caregiving role than the sons. About one third of the participants in the study could not get relief from someone else. Eighty-nine per cent of the children in the study group and 76% of the children in the reference group were not willing to care for their parents in the family home during the progression of the disease, even if they were employed as caregivers.