Correlation of family functionality and burden of informal caregivers of hospitalized older adults

Abstract

Aim to analyze the relationship between family functionality and burden of informal caregivers of hospitalized older people. Methods this is a cross-sectional study conducted with 98 informal caregivers of hospitalized older people in an inpatient unit of a large hospital in São Carlos, São Paulo. For data collection were used questionnaires to sociodemographic and care context characterization, to evaluate burden and family functionality. Descriptive analyzes and Spearman’s correlation coefficient were used. Results female caregivers predominated, who took care of their parents and had no training. Approximately 59.8% of caregivers had good family functionality and 49.5% scored for mild to moderate burden. There was a negative correlation, moderate magnitude, between family functionality and burden (p<0,001). The higher the burden score, the lower the family functionality score and vice versa. Conclusion caregivers with high burden had worse family functionality. Therefore, nurses need to identify such conditions early and implement assertive interventions so that the family functions as a therapeutic resource.

Difficulties in Caring for the Older Adults: Perspective of Brazilian and Portuguese Caregivers

“…Studies show that feelings of loneliness, and exhaustion, are evidenced, mainly, among the main caregivers who do not find in other family members the necessary support to dedicate themselves to the care of the older adults, but also to other interests in their personal life [ 18 , 42 , 43 ]. In addition, other issues associated with the intense dedication required in care are revealed in the financial sphere, since informal caregivers are often unable to develop paid work outside the home [ 44 ].…”

“…Studies developed within the scope of family functionality demonstrate the relationship between higher levels of burden and lower levels of family functionality [ 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 ].…”

“…In this sense, satisfaction with family functioning and, consequently, the help coming from other family members or members of the informal network represents an aspect of great value to the main caregiver, since in this way the demands and the workload are attenuated, improving their perception of health and the pronounced changes that have occurred in their lifestyle [ 5 , 19 , 44 , 48 , 49 ].…”