FACTORS DETERMINING THE DECISION TO INSTITUTIONALIZE DEMENTING INDIVIDUALS - A PROSPECTIVE-STUDY

This longitudinal study of 196 caregiver/care receiver dyads was under taken to determine the variables predictive of caregiver decision to i nstitutionalize a dependent with dementia. Seven variables (use of ser vices, enjoyment of caregiving, caregiver burden and health, caregiver rating and reaction to care receiver behavior and memory problems, an d presence of troublesome behaviors) predicted the decision to institu tionalize. Six variables (caregiver health and burden, use of services , care receiver cognitive function and troublesome behaviors, and care giver reaction to behaviors) predicted actual institutionalization at 18 months.