Family Caregiver Appraisals of Patient Behavioral Disturbance in Senile Dementia

In the present study, 44 primary family caregivers of elderly patients with dementia were interviewed concerning the prevalence of 31 specific behavioral problems in the home setting, the subjective stressfulness of each problem, and caregivers' perceived self-efficacy in managing each problem. Results indicate that, although self-care deficits and disorientation are extremely common, they are of less concern to caregivers than a number of prevalent and highly stressful behavioral problems such as agitation, hallucinations, and dangerous or embarrassing behaviors. These specific behavioral problems deserve greater attention in the management of dementia patients who live in community settings.