Abstract

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) affects middle or older aged individuals with a deterioration of the brain at a rapid pace, often necessitating assistance from family members. This leads to the ultimate question of whether the stress of caring for an affected family member adversely impacts the caregiver’s own health. This study hypothesized that individuals who feel they are taking on caregiver burden with a family member with AD will have higher levels of feeling burdened, emotional stress, physical stress, anxiety, and depression compared to their counterparts who do not have an affected family member. 21 student participants were recruited through the Rochester University website: 3 male participants and 18 females over the age of 18. They completed a Likert-scale survey on Surveymonkey.com, which included newly generated questions based on the Caregiver Burden Scale. Findings suggested that the participants perceived anxiousness, emotional stress, physical stress, and a lack of personal social life. This then demonstrates a potential negative effect on emotional and physical health in particular for caregivers of family members who have AD. This study shows that family members who serve as a caregiver may experience significant negative effects in their own mental wellbeing, which warrants further exploration. Future research is suggested to positively help family caregivers through symptom assessment and stress-management techniques.

Keywords: Effects. Alzheimer’s Disease. Burden. Caregiver. Family. Anxiety. Depression.