Table 3 Characteristics of caregivers and their PwD (n = 226)

 Gender

t = −0.361, p = 0.114

  Female, %

73.0

  Male, %

27.0

 Age, mean (SD)

64.55 (12.87)

r = 0.003, p = 0.724

 Currently Working, %

27.4

t = 0.182, p = 0.429

 Relationship with PwD, %

 Spouse, life partner, Siblings

46.9

t = 12.997, p = 0.980

 Son/daughter, Son-in-law/daughter-in-law, Grandchildren

49.6

t = 0.229, p = 0.321

 Other

3.5

t = − 0.423, p = 0.568

  Without degree

2.7

t = 15.432, p = 0.977

  Lower Secondary Education

37.3

t = − 0.217, p = 0.657

  Higher Secondary Education

31.1

t = − 0.651, p = 0.105

  Polytechnical Degree

16.9

t = 0.094, p = 0.841

  Advanced technical college certificate

2.2

t = 0.355, p = 0.457

  Higher education entrance qualification

9.8

t = 0.285, p = 0.530

 Income (net) per month, € (SD)

1828.29 (740.29)

r = − 0.001, p = 0.546

 Hours spent for caring per month

141.29 (224.21)

r = 0.001, p = 0.183

 SF-12 physical health of caregivers, mean (SD)

47.43 (9.24)

r = − 0.015, p = 0.176

 SF-12 mental health of caregivers, mean (SD)

52.80 (9.11)

r = − 0.012, p = 0.269

 BSI-18 somatization of caregivers

1.41 (2.25)

r = 0.046, p = 0.224

 BSI-18 depression of caregivers

1.04 (2.56)

r = 0.045, p = 0.176

 BSI-18 anxiety of caregivers

1.50 (2.63)

r = 0.057, p = 0.085

 Gender

t = 0.315, p = 0.175

  Female, %

61.6

  Male, %

38.4

 Age, mean (SD)

80.88 (5.56)

r = 0.029, p = 0.137

 Living in partnership, %

54.0

 Living situation (living alone), %

47.8

t = 0.082, p = 0.708

 Severity of dementia (MMST), mean (SD)

21.4 (5.45)

r = −0.008, p = 0.704

 Depression (GDS)

t = 0.047, p = 0.876

  Mild, %

84.8

  Moderate or severe, %

15.2

Functional status (B-ADL), mean (SD)

4.32 (2.70)

r = 0.092, p = 0.021