Comparison of psychopathologies and support given to caregivers of Alzheimer patients by the community pharmacy and caregiver associations

Introduction: Family caregivers of Alzheimer patients (FCAP) suffer from excessive burdens and psychopathologies deriving from the care. Objective: compare the level of excessive burdens, anxiety, depression and social support perceived by FCAPs who belong to a family members of Alzheimer patients association (FAA) and those who don’t and are attended to at the community pharmacy.

Methods: Observational transversal study. 175 FCAPs, divided into two groups. One with 25 FCAPs formed by caregivers who go regularly to a pharmacy and don’t belong to an association (FAA). The second group (FAA) of 150 FCAPs belonging to 7 FAAs in Galicia. Sociodemographic variables were recorded and questionnaires were handed out: Beck Depression Inventory, STAI-Anxiety questionnaire, Zarit caregiver burden scale, Duke-UNC scale of perceived social support. 

Results: In both groups the profile of the caregiver is a 56 year old woman, direct family member of the Alzheimer’s patient with primary education. There are no significant differences between the groups in age (p=0.931) or educational level (p=0.508). Nor were there differences in marital status (p=0.468) or employment status (p=0.851). Significant differences: anxiety, burden and social support. The FAA had higher scores in burden (t=3.162; p=0.002), anxiety (t=2.054; p=0.046) and perceived social support (t=2.755; p=0.006). There were no significant differences in depression (t=0.881; p=0.380). 

Conclusions: Family caregivers of the FAA group displayed higher levels of burden and anxiety. The results of this study support the use of community pharmacies for detecting psychopathologies associated with caring for Alzheimer’s patients and healthcare for caregivers.