AIM: This study aimed to examine the supportive care needs of family caregivers of elderly patients with dementia and diabetes mellitus, and identify the associated factors to provide a scientific basis for the development of effective supportive care interventions. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: Using convenience sampling, we recruited 108 family caregivers of elderly patients with dementia and diabetes mellitus from five neighbourhood committees and 10 natural villages in a community in Xiamen, China. Data on caregivers' demographics and supportive care needs were collected via questionnaires. RESULTS: Caregivers reported high levels of need, with physiological, emotional and safety needs rated most highly. The Caregiver Burden Inventory score was a significant positive predictor of physiological, informational, safety, emotional and spiritual needs, but not of social needs. Physiological needs were associated with the caregiver's occupation and economic status; informational needs with sex and education level; safety needs with sex and occupation; spiritual needs with age and economy; and emotional and social needs with cohabitation status, marital status and relationship to the patient. CONCLUSIONS: Caregiver burden is a key factor associated with the supportive care needs of family caregivers of older adults with dementia and diabetes mellitus. Future interventions should consider both caregiver burden and individual characteristics to provide targeted, multi-level support. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public contribution. IMPLICATIONS: Assessment of caregiver burden should be integrated into community health practice to guide support strategies for caregivers of patients with chronic conditions. IMPACT: The findings will guide community health professionals and policymakers in designing support programmes for caregivers managing complex chronic conditions.
Guo et al. (Fri,) studied this question.