Caregivers of older adults in palliative care: level of burden and depressive symptoms

Teixeira, Luciana Aparecida; Borges, Marisa de Carvalho; Abreu, Daniela Pacifico Homem de; Ribeiro, Karen Bento; Shimano, Suraya Gomes Novais; Patrizzi, Lislei Jorge

doi:10.1590/fm.2022.35132

Cited by 2 publications

References 15 publications

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Lived Caregiving Experience of Foreign Domestic Workers (FDWs) for those with Terminal Illness in Singapore: A Secondary Qualitative Data Analysis

Lee,

Liaw,

Lee

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Background Due to societal changes associated with evolving family structures in Singapore, the reliance on foreign domestic workers (FDWs) for elderly caregiving is increasing. While involving FDWs in caregiving has proven effective in moderating family caregivers' burden and benefiting patients' health outcomes, their caregiving experiences of FDWs are not always ideal. Existing studies on FDWs' caregiving experiences have mainly focused on elder care. However, palliative care, being more specialised and intense, poses unique challenges. Given high caregiver burden experienced in caring for non-cancer patients with terminal illnesses, this study aims to explore FDWs' experiences in caring for non-cancer patients at their end of lives in Singapore. Method A qualitative secondary analysis was conducted on 15 transcripts from a study related to a non-cancer palliative care program. The analysis used an adapted model combining the Informal Caregiving Integrative Model (ICIM), Inherent Tension of Caregiving Model, and Risk and Resistance Model (RRM) of Adjustment model. FDWs' experiences were categorized into five caregiving profiles based on perceived burden and benefits characterised by Pristavec. Results Based on caregiver experience profiling characteristics by Pristavec, one was classified under “intensive domestic helper”, while two others were classified as “relationship”. Nine had a “balanced” profile and three others were classified as “satisfied” FDWs. Common caregiver outcomes like psychological stress and physical fatigue were observed across different profiles. Each profile highlighted unique caregiving experiences, emphasizing the significance of individual coping strategies, clear personal boundaries, and positive mindsets in mitigating the impact of caregiving demands on FDWs' wellbeing. Conclusion This study provides valuable insights into FDWs' caregiving experiences of non-cancer patients with terminal illnesses. The findings suggest the need for tailored services or interventions to enhance FDWs' coping abilities. Future research could focus on developing caregiver support programs specifically designed for FDWs caring for individuals with terminal illnesses.

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Lived Caregiving Experience of Foreign Domestic Workers (FDWs) for those with Terminal Illness in Singapore: A Secondary Qualitative Data Analysis

Lee,

Liaw,

Lee

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Quality of Life and Incidence of Clinical Signs and Symptoms among Caregivers of Persons with Mental Disorders: A Cross-Sectional Study

Oikonomou,

Gkintoni,

Halkiopoulos

et al. 2024

Healthcare

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Background: Caring for individuals with mental disorders poses significant challenges for caregivers, often leading to compromised quality of life and mental health issues such as stress, anxiety, and depression. This study aims to assess the extent of these challenges among caregivers in Greece, identifying which demographic factors influence their well-being. Method: A total of 157 caregivers were surveyed using the SF-12 Health Survey for quality-of-life assessment and the DASS-21 questionnaire for evaluating stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms. t-tests, Kruskal–Wallis tests, Pearson’s correlation coefficients, and regression analyses were applied to understand the associations between demographics, quality of life, and mental health outcomes. Results: The study found that caregivers, especially women and younger individuals, faced high levels of mental health challenges. Marital status, educational level, and employment status also significantly influenced caregivers’ well-being. Depression was the most significant factor negatively correlating with the mental component of quality of life. The magnitude of the burden experienced by caregivers highlighted the urgency for targeted social and financial support, as well as strategic treatment programs that consider caregiver well-being. Conclusions: Caregivers of individuals with mental disorders endure significant stress, anxiety, and depression, influencing their quality of life. Demographic factors such as age, gender, marital status, education, and employment status have notable impacts. Findings emphasize the need for society-wide recognition of caregivers’ roles and the creation of comprehensive support and intervention programs to alleviate their burden, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Caregivers of older adults in palliative care: level of burden and depressive symptoms

Cited by 2 publications

References 15 publications

Lived Caregiving Experience of Foreign Domestic Workers (FDWs) for those with Terminal Illness in Singapore: A Secondary Qualitative Data Analysis

Lived Caregiving Experience of Foreign Domestic Workers (FDWs) for those with Terminal Illness in Singapore: A Secondary Qualitative Data Analysis

Quality of Life and Incidence of Clinical Signs and Symptoms among Caregivers of Persons with Mental Disorders: A Cross-Sectional Study

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