Dementia also has an impact on the family and on society. The person who provides regular care may be a formal caregiver (professional) or an informal one (family member/friend).
Caring for a person with dementia is often a complex task that is highly demanding physically and psychologically. Despite their emotional involvement, many caregivers show a worsening of their state of health, professional difficulties associated with reduced attendance at work, or even leaving work altogether, as well as financial difficulties.
Care requires time, energy and resources. Beyond the strain associated with the continuous provision of care, the caregiver faces the distress of witnessing the progressive loss of capabilities of their loved one, unexpected responsibilities and ambivalent feelings. The uncertainty about the future and the anticipated loss of the person can create situations of great overload.
More than the care needs themselves, it is often the psychological and behavioural symptoms of the person with dementia that most undermine the caregiver.