Cognitive Deficits and Behavioural Disturbances among Persons with Dementia and their Impact on Caregivers

The present study examined the relationship among cognitive deficits, behavioural disturbances of the dementia patients and the burden of care by the caregivers. Purposive sampling method was employed in this study. The sample comprised of total 40 participants in which dementia patients (n=20) and their primary caregivers (n=20). In addition to a Socio demographic and Clinical Data Sheet (SCDS), the tools used were Clinical Dementia Rating Scale (CDRS) Hindi Mental Status Examination (HMSE), Triads Test (to measure divided attention), Logical Memory (passage recall), Rey's Complex Figure Test (RCFT), Dementia Behavior Disturbance Scale (DBDS) and Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI). The results showed that persons with dementia who were having impairment in divided attention, impairment in logical memory and low scores on HMSE were having more behavioural disturbances and their caregivers’ perceived much severe burden. RCPT scores were not significantly correlated with scores on DBDS and ZBI scores in this study. For reducing the burden, behavioural disturbances and cognitive deficits, psychoeducation and some behavioural tips were suggested to the caregivers in this study.