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Table 1 Characteristics of informal caregivers and of people with dementia (Number (%)).

From: Informal caregivers of persons with dementia, their use of and needs for specific professional support: a survey of the National Dementia Programme

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)

  1. Note: N = 984. Informal caregivers mean age (in years) was 62.8; SD was 13.3 and the range was 16-101.
  2. Note: N = 984. Persons with dementia mean age (in years) was 78.2; SD was 8.79 and the range was 42-101.
  3. a. Do not all add up to 984, due to 'missings'.