Dementia Caregivers' Mental Health and Well-being

Dementia remains as one of the leading disorders which affect world's elderly today. Demented persons are compelled to depend upon their family members. Complete dependence of a demented person on a family member who serves as the primary caregiver shoulders responsibility for health and well-being of the demented person. Consequently this demanding job of caregiving may inter-alia lead to negative health outcomes of caregivers. Dementia refers to a group of disorders that cause a gradual deterioration in brain capacity,

causing changes in behavior and giving rise to multiple cognitive malfunctions, as well as physical, mental, and functional difficulties. In comparison to other chronic conditions, people with dementia may from its onset grow their dependence on their caregivers. Most people with dementia stay at home and are cared by their family members. In other words, for people for people with dementia, family caregivers play a critical role. In India, research related to dementia caregivers' health did not get much importance earlier. Studies reported that in our country as well as including in the state of West Bengal, dementia is in a surge. As a consequence, involvement of family members in caregiving to provide necessary care for their demented family member will be conspicuous. In India, less is known on the varied impacts of the dementia caregivers' health and well-being.