Table 1.
Characteristics of informal caregivers and of people with dementia (Number (%)).
| Characteristics of informal caregivers | N = 984 (%)a |
|---|---|
| Relationship to the person with dementia | |
| Spouse | 490 (50.8) |
| Son/daughter (in-law) | 372 (38.2) |
| Other relative | 84 (8.7) |
| Friend, neighbor, acquaintance | 23 (2.3) |
| Gender | |
| Male | 277 (28.4) |
| Female | 697 (71.6) |
| Age categories (years) | |
| Below 45 | 81 (8.2) |
| 45 - 55 | 216 (21.9) |
| 55 - 65 | 218 (22.2) |
| 65 - 75 | 209 (21.2) |
| 75 - 85 | 207 (21.1) |
| 85 and above | 53 (5.4) |
| Frequency of the care | |
| Daily | 511 (54.8) |
| 3 - 6 times a week | 170 (18.3) |
| 1 - 2 times a week | 203 (21.9) |
| Less than once a week | 36 (3.9) |
| Less than once a month | 11 (1.1) |
| Duration of caregiving | |
| Less than 6 months | 26 (2.7) |
| 6 months to 1 year | 100 (10.5) |
| 1 - 2 years | 177 (18.4) |
| 2 - 3 years | 186 (19.3) |
| 3 - 4 years | 140 (14.5) |
| 4 - 5 years | 113 (11.7) |
| More than 5 years | 221 (22.9) |
| Assistance | |
| Informal caregiver receives no or little assistance from other relatives | 486 (51.9) |
| Other informal caregivers essentially contribute to the care for the person with dementia | 448 (48.1) |
| Characteristics of persons with dementia | N = 984 (%) |
| Living arrangements | |
| Living at home | 631 (69.0) |
| Living in a nursing home or in a home for the elderly | 299 (31.0) |
| Gender | |
| Male | 415 (42.3) |
| Female | 564 (57.7) |
| Age categories (years) | |
| Below 45 | 2 (0.3) |
| 45 - 55 | 11 (1.0) |
| 55 - 65 | 79 (8.0) |
| 65 - 75 | 231 (23.5) |
| 75 - 85 | 462 (47.0) |
| 85 and above | 199 (20.2) |
| Duration of dementia symptoms | |
| Less than 6 months | 17 (1.7) |
| 6 months - 1 year | 61 (6.3) |
| 1 - 2 years | 156 (15.9) |
| 2 - 3 years | 197 (20.2) |
| 3 - 4 years | 132 (13.5) |
| 4 - 5 years | 148 (15.2) |
| More than 5 years | 265 (27.2) |
Note: N = 984. Informal caregivers mean age (in years) was 62.8; SD was 13.3 and the range was 16-101.
Note: N = 984. Persons with dementia mean age (in years) was 78.2; SD was 8.79 and the range was 42-101.
a. Do not all add up to 984, due to 'missings'.