Health Profiles among Community-Dwelling Older Adults with Cognitive Impairment and Their Implications for Caregiving Experience

Abstract

Introduction: Identifying health conditions of persons with cognitive impairment (PCI) in the community and exploring their implications for caregiving experience are vital for effective allocation of healthcare resources. This study examined distinct PCI health profiles among community-dwelling PCI and their association with caregiving burden and benefits. Methods: Latent profile analysis and multivariable regression were applied to dyadic data from 266 PCI and their caregivers in Singapore. Results: Three PCI health profiles were identified: less impaired (40% of PCI), moderately impaired (30%), and severely impaired (30%). Caregivers for severely impaired PCI were more likely to report a higher level of caregiving burden, and caregivers for moderately impaired PCI were more likely to report a higher level of caregiving benefits, compared to caregivers for less impaired PCI. Conclusion: The findings captured heterogeneity in health status among PCI in the community. Tailored interventions, based on PCI health profiles, should be designed to reduce caregiving burden and increase caregiving benefits.