Structural model of family caregiver for elderly with dementia

Abstract

Background: The number of older people with dementia was continuously increasing globally. Unfortunately, many of them had received inappropriate medical treatment to overcome the dementia they suffered. This current research aimed to analyze the factors that affected family-based caregiver empowerment. Materials and Methods: An analytic observational method with a cross-sectional approach was applied. The population was all families with dementia elderly in East Java, Indonesia, in 2021, who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The sample size was determined to be 100 respondents. Results: The results showed that the factors (i.e., elderly factors, family factors, health service factors, family's filial value, family assessment, and the need for care) had significant effects directly or indirectly on the family's ability to do home care. Conclusions: Factors that influenced directly (i.e., elderly factors, family factors, family assessment, and care needs) and indirectly (i.e., health service factors) were essential in constructing a structural model of family care for the elderly with dementia.

Keywords

• dementia
• elderly
• empowerment
• family caregiver