Dementia neuropsychiatric symptom severity, help-seeking patterns, and family caregiver unmet needs in the Sacramento Area Latino Study on Aging (SALSA)

Objective: To examine dementia neuropsychiatric symptom (1) severity, (2) help-seeking patterns, and (3) associated family unmet needs for professional help. Method: Family caregivers of 38 Latinos with dementia from an epidemiological cohort study were assessed with the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). Follow-up probes assessed neuropsychiatric symptoms, help-seeking, and unmet need. Results: Of 122 neuropsychiatric symptoms reported 56.6% (69) were mild and 43.4% (53) were moderate to severe. Eighty percent of caregivers had disclosed at least one neuropsychiatric symptom to primary care physicians and 57.9% needed more professional help, particularly counseling and psychoeducation. Conclusions: Primary care-based interventions are needed to reduce gaps in care.