Longitudinal studies of caregiver burden when caring for persons with
dementia living at home are sparse. The aim of the study was to identify
factors associated with caregiver burden and predicting increased
burden related to caregivers, persons with dementia and formal care.
Data were collected through interviews with 1223 caregivers in eight
European countries. Bivariate and multivariate regression analyses were
performed. Factors associated with caregiver burden included extensive
informal care provision, decreased well-being and reduced quality of
life for the caregiver and reduced cognition, decreased quality of life,
severe neuropsychiatric symptoms and depression in the person with
dementia and caregivers’ negative experience of quality of care. Factors
predicting an increased burden were diminished caregiver well-being,
severe neuropsychiatric symptoms of the person with dementia and
caregivers’ negative perception of quality of care. The knowledge gained
in this study may be useful in developing more adequate service systems
and interventions to improve dementia care.