Table 2.
Survey Responses (n = 452)
| Survey question | N (%) |
|---|---|
| Approximately how long has your spouse/partner had the diagnosis of dementia? | |
| Less than 1 year | 64 (14%) |
| 1–3 years | 200 (44%) |
| 4–6 years | 112 (25%) |
| More than 6 years | 71 (16%) |
| Unknown, not reported | 5 (1%) |
| How long have you been caring for your spouse/partner? | |
| Less than 1 year | 57 (13%) |
| 1–3 years | 180 (40%) |
| 4–6 years | 102 (23%) |
| More than 6 years | 108 (24%) |
| Unknown, not reported | 5 (1%) |
| Please select the activities you currently help your spouse with (check all that apply) | |
| Walking/ambulating | 127 (28%) |
| Bathing/grooming | 153 (34%) |
| Dressing | 147 (33%) |
| Feeding | 79 (17%) |
| Transferring (e.g., moving from bed to a chair or into the car) | 83(18%) |
| Toileting (i.e., going to the bathroom) | 83 (18%) |
| Shopping | 311 (69%) |
| Cooking/preparing food | 344 (76%) |
| Managing medications | 354 (78%) |
| Attending medical appointments | 399 (88%) |
| Using the phone/technology | 289 (64%) |
| Doing housework | 304 (67%) |
| Doing laundry | 294 (65%) |
| Driving or using public transportation | 321 (71%) |
| Managing finances | 376 (83%) |
| Other (please describe)* | 31 (7%) |
| Unknown, not reported | 4 (1%) |
| Approximately, how many hours do you spend caring for your spouse/partner per week? | |
| Less than 1 hr | 31 (7%) |
| 1–8 hr | 113 (25%) |
| 9–20 hr | 89 (20%) |
| 21–40 hr | 68 (15%) |
| 41+ hr | 142 (31%) |
| Unknown, not reported | 9 (2%) |
| Do others assist in the role of caring for your spouse/partner? | |
| Yes | 181 (40%) |
| Unknown, not reported | 4 (1%) |
| If yes, what is their relationship to your spouse/partner? | |
| Sibling | 10 (2%) |
| Child | 126 (28%) |
| Other family (please describe)** | 20 (4%) |
| Friend | 10 (2%) |
| Paid in-home caregiver | 49 (11%) |
| Other (please describe)*** | 6 (2%) |
| Unknown, not reported | 1 |
| Have you been hospitalized in the last 12 months? | |
| Yes | 75 (17%) |
| Unknown, not reported | 4 (1%) |
| If yes, was the hospitalization… | |
| Unexpected (for example, you were hospitalized for an illness that came on suddenly and that you couldn’t plan for) | 51 (68%) |
| Planned (for example, a surgery that was scheduled ahead of time and required staying in the hospital) | 24 (32%) |
| If yes, did you have plans in place prior to your hospitalization for the care of your spouse/partner with dementia? | |
| Yes | 52 (69%) |
| How prepared are you to find care for your spouse/partner with dementia if you were unexpectedly hospitalized in the future? | |
| Very prepared | 82 (18%) |
| Somewhat prepared | 233 (52%) |
| Not at all prepared | 133 (29%) |
| Unknown, not reported | 4 (1%) |
| How confident are you that your spouse/partner with dementia would receive the care they need if you were unexpectedly hospitalized? | |
| Very confident they would receive the care they need | 164 (36%) |
| Somewhat confident they would receive the care they need | 217 (48%) |
| Not at all confident they would receive the care they need | 65 (14%) |
| Unknown, not reported | 6 (1%) |
Notes: Due to rounding, percentages may not add up to 100%.
*Not indicated, safety precautions, work or legal matters, mental support (e.g., time management, directions, and remembering things), and social support (e.g., company, communication, and leisure activities).
**Grandchildren, parents, and nieces/nephews.
***Neighbors, special classes, or day care.