The correlation between dementia severity and caregiver burden level in community

Objective: This research aim is to investigate the correlation between dementia severity and caregiver burden level. Methodology: This research is a cross-sectional research involving 23 respondents who took care of the elderly with dementia. The questionnaire employed in the data collection was MMSE (Mini-Mental Status Examination) questionnaire to assess the dementia severity level, while the data on the caregiver burden level was collected through the Cregiver Burden questionnaire by Zarit. Result: Among 23 elderly taken care, 61% of them suffered from severe dementia. Meanwhile, the caregiver burden level of the respondents was measured in mild-moderate level. There were no respondents with severe caregiver burden level. The caregiver burden level suggested a different result in each dementia severity level. Furthermore, the correlation between dementia severity and caregiver burden level indicated p value of 0.001 and r value of 0.694 (significance α < 0.05). Conclusion: There was a significant relationship between dementia severity level and caregiver burden level. Positive coping played a highly critical role in minimizing the caregiver burden level experienced by elderly caregivers.