Caregiver burden in Alzheimer's disease: Case studies

A series of individual caregivers were studied in a program for reducing caregiver burden. Using a modified caregiver burden inventory for assessment, an educational program and a needs-based intervention algorithm to guide intervention of caregivers, attempts were made to mitigate caregiver burden. A study of individual cases suggested that primary burden for caregivers included time spent in caring for loved ones and missing out on phase-of-life-appropriate activities. It was our impression that caregiver burden did not represent an appropriate outcome measure in this situation, and that the most desired outcome was the openness of individuals to assistance when and where they were able to accept it.