Long-term caring for senior family members has negative consequences for informal caregivers
Authors:
Iva Brabcová; Hana Hajduchová; Sylva Bártlová; Věra Stasková; Tomáš Hrdý; Olga Dvořáčková; Ingrid Baloun; Helena Michálková
Authors‘ workplace:
Zdravotně sociální fakulta, Jihočeská univerzita, České Budějovice
Published in:
Geriatrie a Gerontologie 2025, 14, č. 1: 38-43
Category:
Original Article
doi:
https://doi.org/10.61568/geri/50-6457/20250217/139909
Overview
Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of selected demographic, socioeconomic and health determinants on the level of caregiving burden of informal caregivers.
Theoretical bases: The demographic trends of inhabitant development point out the importance of systemic support of the support of informal family care.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. The study population consisted of 168 informal caregivers in the South Bohemia Region.
Outcomes: A positive linear correlation was identified between the level of caregiver burden and the age, sleep and physical activity of caregivers. As caregivers’ age increased, their caregiving burden increased. At the same time, changes in sleep quality and physical activity predicted higher levels of caregiver burden. A negative correlation was confirmed between caregiver burden, availability of ADP services, and subjective health ratings. Caregiver burden increased with lower availability of ADP services. Caregiver satisfaction with their health decreased with higher levels of caregiver burden. Caregivers living in a family union reported lower levels of caregiving burden than single, divorced, widowed caregivers.
Social work implications: The results confirmed the associations between caregiving burden and selected characteristics of informal caregivers. There is a need of systemic interventions to reduce the burden of family caregivers.
Keywords:
health – informal caregivers – burden – socioeconomic characteristics
Sources
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