CAREGIVERS STRESS AND ITS PREDICTORS WHILE CARING DEMENTIA PATIENTS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic had a great impact on dementia patients as well as on their caregivers. The caregivers of such patients face great difficulties and marked level of stress in dealing with their patients during COVID-19. The roles and responsibilities of the caregivers also increased and messed up with daily routines due to sudden changes in the environmental situation because of COVID. Aim: To assess the level of stress among the caregivers of patients with dementia during COVID pandemic. Methods: A cross sectional research design in which purposive samples of 31 caregivers of patients with dementia were selected for the study. The caregivers who were stayed with the patients for at least one year and were fulfilled the eligibility criteria were participated in the study. The data was collected by using a telephonic interview on one to one basis. Perceived stress scale (PSS-10) was used to assess level of stress among the caregivers. Results: The findings of the study have shown that the majority of the caregivers of patients with dementia 90.3% had moderate stress level. Conclusion: The roles and responsibilities of caregivers of patients with dementia become challenging during COVID which affect their mental health also. The emphasis is on the stress management strategies for the caregivers and shared responsibilities of caring their patients.