Addressing the Experiences of Family Caregivers of Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Finland

Abstract

This cross-sectional study assessed the experiences of family caregivers of older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants were recruited ( n = 101) between April and December 2019. We applied a mixed-method approach. Quantitative data were analyzed using an independent samples t-test and logistic regression analysis, and qualitative experiences with modified thematic content analysis. The mean age of the family caregivers was 76 years ( SD = 7), and 72% were females. Experiences of loneliness and worry during the pandemic were evaluated by self-assessment. Approximately one-third of the participants reported loneliness and worry. These experiences were further associated with female sex, increased psychological distress and depressive symptoms, and decreased physical condition and social relationships. Family caregivers were also worried about the pandemic’s impact on health and well-being. Thus, the COVID-19 pandemic has added an extra psychosocial load to family caregivers. The post-pandemic era requires increased attention to re-evaluating policies and services.

Caregiving Situation as a Predictor of Subjective Caregiver Burden: Informal Caregivers of Older Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Furthermore, until the present study, no comprehensive representative study of the ICs of older adults had been conducted in Slovenia to investigate the caregiving situation and burden of older people’s ICs. While many studies conducted during the pandemic were based on selective and convenience samples (e.g., [ 43 , 44 ]), we conducted a study with a sample from the general population to enable generalization of the results. Therefore, the first aim of the present study, conducted after the first year of COVID-19 in Slovenia, was to determine the caregiving situation and burden during the outbreak.…”

“…However, the understanding of caregiving situations varies widely among the studies [ 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 ], and they are often vaguely defined [ 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 ]. Second, the impact of the pandemic on the ICs of older people has been investigated in several studies [ 43 , 44 , 47 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 ], but not the caregiving situation characteristics and subjective burden during the pandemic phase in 2021. Therefore, the second aim of our study was to clearly and holistically define the caregiving situation based on the conservation of resources theory [ 71 ], understanding the objective burden [ 72 , 73 ], and the overview presented in Section 1.2 , and to investigate how the caregiving situation’s characteristics predict the subjective burden.…”

“…Many international studies have shown that the pandemic has worsened the situation of ICs [ 12 , 18 , 20 , 25 , 43 , 44 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 82 , 83 , 84 , 85 , 86 , 87 , 88 , 89 , 90 , 91 , 92 ]. The pandemic has led to an increase in the intensity of care, the care activities provided, and the burden on ICs [ 18 , 20 , 43 , 67 , 70 , 82 , 84 , 85 , 87 , 87 , 88 , 89 , 91 , 92 , 93 , 94 ].…”

“…In addition, the pandemic has created additional challenges for ICs, such as anxiety and stress related to contracting and spreading the virus, practical concerns related to delayed and discontinued treatment, and a lack of paid formal support services. Most studies report deterioration in the health, quality of life, and psychological well-being of ICs [ 12 , 18 , 20 , 43 , 44 , 83 , 84 , 85 , 87 , 88 , 89 , 90 , 91 , 92 ]. The studies also mention a narrowing of care networks and thus more responsibility for the primary IC [ 18 , 92 ], an increase in the needs of care recipients [ 20 , 85 ], a worsening of the financial situation of ICs during the pandemic [ 20 , 83 , 85 , 88 , 89 , 92 , 95 ], an increase in the hours worked by employed ICs or changes in their work patterns [ 20 , 85 , 93 , 95 ], and an increase in concern about the situation of care recipients [ 20 , 85 , 89 ].…”

“…Some studies have specifically addressed the situations of ICs of older people during the pandemic [ 25 , 43 , 44 , 47 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 82 ]. Of these, however, only a few have addressed the impact of the pandemic on the caregiving burden of ICs of older people [ 47 , 70 , 82 , 87 , 94 ].…”