Spousal Discrepancy in Perceived Importance of Care Needs Among Couples Managing Early-Stage Alzheimer’s Disease

This study examined discrepancies between persons living with dementia (PLWD) and their spousal caregivers in the perceived importance of PLWD's care needs, and how caregivers' dementia knowledge and empathy were associated with these discrepancies. Data were drawn from 65 couples managing early-stage Alzheimer's disease. PLWD self-reported the importance of their physical, psychological, and social needs, while caregivers provided proxy ratings. PLWD perceived addressing their physical needs as more important than did their caregivers, whereas both partners agreed on the importance of psychological and social needs. Caregivers' greater empathic concern was associated with smaller discrepancies in the perceived importance of physical needs; greater personal distress was associated with smaller discrepancies in social needs. Caregivers' dementia knowledge was positively associated with discrepancies in psychological needs only when relationship quality was lower. These findings highlight the importance of caregivers' emotional responsiveness and relational dynamics in caregiver interventions, expanding the focus beyond dementia knowledge.