Objective: This study examined loneliness among caregivers of individuals with Parkinson’s disease dementia(PDD).

Background: Caregivers of people with PDD have loneliness and depression.

Methods: The sample included 30 caregivers who were currently living with the PDD. Assessment instruments included the UCLA Loneliness Scale, Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HAD), Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Mini Mental State Assessment (MMSE), Subjective Memory Complaints Questionnaire (SMCQ) and questions related to both patient and caregiver characteristics.

Results: There were no differences in UCLA loneliness scale, pain, memory complaints, HAD and MMSE scores between male and female caregivers. But, negative correlations between MMSE scores of patients and loneliness level of caregivers were determined. As the dementia progressed, the level of loneliness of caregivers was increased.

Conclusions: This study shows that there is a positive correlation between loneliness level and pain and depression level among the caregivers of PDD.

References: 1- Rae CM, Fazio E, Hartsock G, Kelley L, Urbanski S, Russell D. Predictors of Loneliness in Caregivers of Persons with Parkinson’s Disease Parkinsonism Relat Disord. 2009; 15(8): 554–557. 2- Mosley PE, Moodie R, Dissanayaka N. Caregiver Burden in Parkinson Disease: A Critical Review of Recent Literature. J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol. 2017;30(5):235-252.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/evaluation-of-the-loneliness-among-the-caregivers-of-parkinson-disease-dementia/