By Yang Xia, student of the Master in Applied Neuroscience

Abstract

This review examines dementia caregiver burden, providing insights into recent scientific research, whilst focusing on neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS), cultural norms, and socioeconomic inequities. It evaluates how these factors exacerbate stress and assesses interventions to mitigate caregiver burden.
A targeted literature review searching Medline between 2015 and 2025 was conducted using keywords caregiver burden and dementia.
NPS like agitation and aggression drive caregiver depression and burnout, incidence of which are higher among female carers and low-income groups. Cultural expectations, such as filial piety, discourage external support, while financial strain and COVID-19 disruptions deepen disparities. Interventions such as telehealth and policy reforms show promise but require cultural adaptation. Caregiver burden is a multifaceted public health issue. Women, older spouses, and marginalized groups face the highest strain, necessitating search for culturally sensitive, equitable solutions.
To lessen the burden of caregiving, health policies should prioritize subsidized respite care, workplace flexibility, and culturally tailored programs. Further improvements could be made to enhance telehealth accessibility in low-resource regions and validate assessment tools for diverse cultures and populations.

Keywords: Caregiver burden, dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease, frontotemporal dementia, vascular dementia

Download the full Research Work: Yang Xia (2025). Caregiver Burden for Patients with Dementia: a literature review. SAERA