Table 4 Main topics of needs explored in instruments of the included studies

 On the disease (e.g., cognition, behavioural disorders, dementia)

[16, 20, 22, 23, 30, 37, 38, 40–42, 45, 46, 48, 50, 52–55, 58, 62, 64, 66, 67, 69, 70, 97–99]

 On the pharmacological treatment

[16, 17, 22, 30, 40–42, 46, 50, 56, 64, 65, 67, 96–99]

 On the non-pharmacological treatment

[47, 53, 96]

 On the available services

[16, 23, 37, 40, 61, 64, 66, 70, 98, 99]

 Support for the caregiver (psychological and emotional support)

[16, 17, 20, 22, 38, 40, 42, 43, 45, 46, 48, 52–56, 60, 64–67, 69, 70, 96, 98]

 Support for the patient (psychological and emotional support)

[19, 40, 57, 58, 60, 66, 70, 96]

 Social interactions, company

[16, 37, 40, 43, 45, 48, 58, 62, 65, 70, 99]

 Time for themselves

[16, 45, 48, 56, 65, 67, 68, 98, 99]

 Institutionalization

[22, 46, 53, 58, 64, 66, 68, 70, 96]

 Financial issue

[16, 19, 22, 40–42, 46–48, 52, 53, 56, 62, 64, 67, 97, 98]

 Legal issue

[16, 30, 40–43, 46, 52, 53, 56, 62, 66, 70, 97]

 Respite, Day care

[19, 22, 41, 42, 45, 47, 52, 53, 56, 58, 60, 64, 65, 70]

 Community services:

[20, 38, 41, 42, 46, 48, 61, 96, 97]

  related to home support (meal, housework, transport)

[16, 23, 43, 45, 47, 53, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 98]

  related to patient care

[19, 23, 37, 40, 41, 43, 45, 47, 53, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 69, 70, 98]

 Coping with behavioural disorders

[16, 17, 23, 41–43, 46, 56, 61, 65–68, 70]

 Coping with cognitive disorders

[17, 23, 30, 46, 56, 61, 62, 64, 67, 70]

 Coping with patient feelings

[30, 40, 56, 62, 65–67, 70]

 Coping for caring

[16, 17, 22, 37, 40, 45, 46–48, 52, 53, 56, 62, 64, 67, 97, 99]

 Communication with patient

[16, 17, 24, 37, 40, 46, 50, 57, 61, 65, 67, 70, 97]

 Stimulating/appropriate activities

[41, 42, 46, 48, 50, 57, 65, 66, 68, 70, 96, 97, 99]

 Caregiver training

[16, 22, 30, 37, 42, 43, 50, 52, 53, 56, 58, 62, 65, 67, 98, 99]

 Environmental Safety (material, device), supervision

[19, 22, 23, 41, 43, 47, 48, 53, 58, 60–62, 65–67, 70, 98, 99]

 Incontinence

[42, 48, 61, 65, 67, 68]

 Caregiver general health

[16, 20, 22, 24, 37, 38, 48, 56, 65, 67]

 Medication management

[30, 40, 56, 57, 62, 67, 98]

 Sexuality/Intimacy

[46, 56, 62, 65, 99]