The psychosomatic burden of family caregivers of patients with dementia: A literature review from primary health care

ABSTRACT

Background: Dementia is a chronic, progressively developing neurodegenerative disease that has a significant impact not only on patients but also on family caregivers who undertake their long-term care. Caregivers are exposed to increased levels of psychological stress and physical strain, with consequences for their overall health and quality of life, making their psychosomatic burden an important public health issue.

Aim: The aim of this literature review is to investigate the psychosomatic burden of family caregivers of people with dementia, as well as to highlight the role of Primary Health Care (PHC) in their identification and support.

Materials and Methods: A review of the international literature was conducted in scientific databases, with an emphasis on studies concerning the psychological and physical burden of family caregivers of patients with dementia, risk factors, and support interventions in the context of PHC.

Results: The findings in the literature show that family caregivers experience increased rates of anxiety, depression, emotional exhaustion, sleep disorders, and physical problems, which worsen as the disease progresses. The lack of education, social support, and respite services intensifies the psychosomatic burden. At the same time, the decisive role of primary health care in the early identification of caregivers' needs and the provision of comprehensive psychosocial support interventions is highlighted.

Conclusions: The psychosocial burden on family caregivers of people with dementia is a serious and often underestimated problem, with significant implications for the sustainability of care. Strengthening primary health care with targeted interventions for the education, support, and relief of caregivers is essential for improving the quality of life of both caregivers and patients.

Keywords: Dementia, Νόσος Alzheimer, family carers, psychosomatic burden, Primary Health Care (PHC), family caregivers