Problems in caring for the elderly mentally infirm at home.

The supporters of psychogeriatric patients attending 5-day hospitals were asked to complete questionnaires concerning the particular problems they experienced in caring for their patients at home. The information provided by the supporter was then related to measures of mood, self-reported strain, and outcome 12 mth from the patients' first attendance. The results pointed to the importance of problems reflecting attentional and emotional demand from such patients, in determining the level of strain, and the supporters' capacity to continue to care for the patient in the community.