The association between the functional incapacity of the older adult and the family caregiver's burden

Abstract

Objective: to identify the association between the older adult's functional capacity and the caregiver's burden. Method: a cross-sectional, quantitative study, undertaken in a municipality in the north of the Brazilian state of Paraná, with 178 older adults with functional incapacity, and their caregivers. The Functional Independence Measure was used for evaluating the older adults' functional capacity, and the Zarit Burden Interview was used for evaluating the caregiver burden, with the results being analyzed quantitatively. The majority of the older adults were females, widowed, with a mean age of 79.9 years old, and needing assistance for up to 50% of the daily living tasks. The majority of the caregivers were females, daughters, married, and had a mean age of 56.7 years old. Result: the majority of the caregivers reported moderate burden; the men presented higher probabilities of lower burden than the women; and the more independent the older adult was, the higher the probabilities of the caregiver having low burden. Conclusion: encouraging actions directed at the promotion of active and healthy ageing centered on the maintenance of functional capacity and the older adult's autonomy, and implanting strategies for the organizing of care in the home which include the caregiver's health, can contribute to minimizing the effects of burden and improve quality of life.

Sobrecarga dos cuidadores de crianças e adolescentes com Síndrome de Down

“…This gender division among caregivers seems to be supported by the experience of motherhood, thus determining that women would be assigned to address the care activities taught to women within the family through generations 20 . This fact contributes to women continuing to be viewed as care providers, and it can have consequences due to the accumulation of responsibilities 21 , particularly for those who are more fragile and dependent 22 . Despite the changes that have occurred in the contemporary family, the difference in roles between men and women continues to be a reality, particularly in the case of families with lower purchasing power 23 .…”

“…Down syndrome (DS) is the most frequent chromosomal disorder resulting from chromosome 21 1 trisomy, with an estimated incidence of 1/600 to 1/1000 live births worldwide 2 , with a higher risk for advanced maternal age 3 . Recent Brazilian data indicate that on average, for every 600 to 800 births, a child with DS is born, regardless of ethnicity, gender, or social class 4 .…”

Prevalência de sobrecarga e respectivos fatores associados em cuidadores de idosos dependentes, em uma região pobre do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

“…Dois estudos realizados com amostras numerosas de cuidadores residentes no Paraná revelaram a prevalência de sobrecarga moderada a severa em mais de 70% dos familiares responsáveis pelo cuidado de idosos dependentes 7,8 . Em São Paulo e na Paraíba, Yamashita et al 9 e Loureiro et al 10 também identificaram a ocorrência de estresse em 69% e 84% dos cuidadores, respectivamente.…”

Prevalence and factors associated with functional dependency in homebound elderly people in Brazil

“…Nevertheless, the literature shows that most caregivers are not prepared to deal with the specific demands of geriatrics 6 ; specifically, caring for chronic diseases and maintaining function 21 . Therefore, independent of what is causing functional dependency, this should not be seen as stable and irreversible but, instead, as a dynamic and multidimensional condition 14 that can be prevented, modified or improved 20 .…”

“…However, all these studies have cross-sectional designs that do not allow for causation inference between dependent and independent factors and, therefore, we cannot conclude whether elderly people are becoming functionally dependent because they have caregivers, or if the elderly have caregivers due to functional dependency. In addition, the present study did not examine the influence of comorbidities on functional dependency, which could also explain the need for caregivers.Nevertheless, the literature shows that most caregivers are not prepared to deal with the specific demands of geriatrics 6 ; specifically, caring for chronic diseases and maintaining function 21 . Therefore, independent of what is causing functional dependency, this should not be seen as stable and irreversible but, instead, as a dynamic and multidimensional condition 14 that can be prevented, modified or improved 20 .…”