Family distress and associated factors in persons with dementia at risk of getting lost.

OBJECTIVES

To examine family distress and related factors in persons with dementia at risk of getting lost.

METHODS

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between July 2023 and January 2024. A survey was administered to a sample of family caregivers providing care to persons with dementia in outpatient clinics and community dementia care sites in Taiwan. The survey was conducted using a set of questionnaires.

RESULTS

Family caregivers of persons with dementia who did not get lost experienced moderate levels of family distress, followed by those in the recurrent getting lost and single incidence of getting lost groups. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis revealed that accident-associated getting lost and caregiver burden were factors significantly related to family distress.

CONCLUSION

Caring for persons with dementia with a history of getting lost is distressing for families, particularly those who have experienced accident-associated getting lost and caregiver burden, necessitating tailored interventions to reduce family distress.