Authors

1José Carlos Rodríguez Ruiz2María Isabel Archilla Castillo3Mónica Archilla Castillo

Position

¹Enfermero. Máster en Ciencias de la Enfermería. Distrito Sanitario Poniente de Almería. ²Doctora en Psicología. Área de Metodología de las Ciencias del Comportamiento. Universidad de Almería.³Enfermera. Experto Universitario en Promoción de la Salud de la Comunidad. Distrito Sanitario Poniente de Almería.

Contact address

osé Carlos Rodríguez Ruiz Sierra de los Filabres, s/n. 04720 Roquetas de Mar (Almería).

Contact email: josec.rodriguez.ruiz.sspa@juntadeandalucia.es

Abstract

Purpose: to assess informal caregivers’ burden and to identify potentially influencing associated factors.
Methods: the issue was addressed using a cross-sectional descriptive and analytical study in a sample of 50 informal caregivers and corresponding cared individuals living in a town at Almería province in Spain. Data were collected with a questionnaire specifically designed for the study, Zarit Burden Interview, and Barthel Index of Activities of Daily Living-Granger version.
Results: mean age of caregivers was 60.5 years, 88% were women, 88% had no paid employment, and 86% lived with the cared patient. Burden was present in more than half the caregivers sample (mild burden in 30%; severe burden in 28%). Having an out of home paid employment and a cared patient having dementia are both factors sig­nificantly related to caregiver burden.
Conclusions: our findings suggest that taking care of patients with dementia results in a higher burden, whereas having an out of home employment could have a favorable effect. Furthermore, a decreased number of hours spent in care giving and sharing the time out among several people could reduce burden level. Knowledge of caregivers and cared patients profiles is useful to prevent caregiver role pro­blems.

Keywords:

Informal caregiver; burden; fatigue; dependenceZarit Burden Interview

Versión en Español

Título:

La sobrecarga de los cuidadores informales