Informal caregivers of older persons with dementia in eight European countries

This thesis emphasize that informal caregivers of persons with dementia needs formal care to be proactive and deliver available care and support early in the course of the disease. Mapping the health care and social service systems is a valuable tool for evaluating existing systems for policy making. Professionals should be aware about what factors are associated with informal caregivers" psychological well-being and burden to provide proper care and support, and to promote a healthy transition in the caregiving role and through the course of the dementia disease.