Caregivers of Family with Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia: Well-Being and Meaning in Life

Abstract

Family caregivers of persons with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia experience threats to their well-being through the stress of care. There are many factors that can improve the well-being of caregivers, but the present study focused on the existential concept of meaning in life as it relates to the well-being of the caregivers. This study sought to understand the relationship between caregiver well-being (basic needs and activities of daily living) and meaning in life (exciting life, accomplished life, principled life, purposeful life, and valued life) as well as how various demographic factors may impact well-being and meaning in life. A significant, positive relationship was found between caregiver well-being and meaning in life. Significant, strong, positive relationships occurred between accomplished life and basic needs of well-being as well as between valued life and basic needs. Significant, moderate, positive relationships occurred between exciting life and basic needs, principled life and basic needs, purposeful life and basic needs, accomplished life and activities of daily living, and valued life and activities of daily living. Employed participants were the only group to have significantly higher well-being than unemployed participants.