Caregiver Burden Is Reduced by Social Support Services for Non-Dependent Elderly Persons: Pre-Post Study of 569 Caregivers

Abstract

Background: Informal care provided by family caregivers (FCGs) to elderly persons is associated with a high risk of burden and poor health status. Social support services (3S) for the elderly persons were characterized by assistance in various activities of daily living. This study aimed to analyze the impact of 3S on the burden of FCGs of elderly persons living in the community and identify factors associated with changes in their burden. Methods: This pre-post study was performed in the southeast of France: FCGs of non-dependent elderly persons still living at home who received a 3S were consecutively included. FCG burden was assessed with the Mini-Zarit scale before the setting up of the 3S (pre-3S) and 6 months after (post-3S). Results: A total of 569 FCGs were included in the study. Mean age of the FCGs was 62.9 years old (±13.3), 67% were women, 61.2% were children or stepchildren. Burden was present for 81% of FCGs. In most cases, 3S targeted household chores (95.8%); 59.8% of elderly persons and their FCGs were fully satisfied. The improvement in burden was greater for FCGs perceiving less obstacles post-3S in helping elderly persons (OR = 4.083) but also for FCGs fully satisfied with the 3S (OR = 2.809) and for FCGs whose perceived health status had improved post-3S (OR = 2.090). Conclusions: FCGs of non-dependent elderly persons experience a burden similar to those of dependent elderly persons. The implementation of a 3S in daily life helps to reduce their burden.

Assessment of the Daily Living Activities of Older People (2004–2023): A Bibliometric and Visual Analysis

“…Clusters #2, #3, #4, #5, and #7 specifically focus on the risk of decline in older people’s ADL and related intervention measures. During the aging process, physiological factors (gender [ 42 ], age [ 43 , 44 , 45 ], cognitive impairment [ 46 ], nutritional intake [ 47 , 48 ], chronic diseases [ 49 , 50 ]), psychological factors (loneliness [ 51 ] depression [ 9 , 52 ]), and social factors (income [ 53 ], marital status [ 44 , 54 ], social support [ 55 , 56 ]) contribute to the ability to engage in ADL. Physical exercise training interventions [ 57 , 58 , 59 ], cognitive interventions [ 2 , 60 ], and community interventions [ 61 ] effectively support various ADL abilities in older people.…”

Understanding Caregiver Challenges: A Comprehensive Exploration of Available Resources to Alleviate Caregiving Burdens

“…It is also important to evaluate caregiver support programs, estimate service demand, increase awareness of evidence-based services, promote caregiver self-care, and ensure access to self-management programs for caregivers with disabilities or chronic diseases [ 6 ]. One example of a successful intervention from the government is seen in the South-East region of France, where they implemented a Social Support Services (3S), a formal service developed to provide social support, e.g., household chores, ironing, shopping, or travel support, to retired individuals who are at risk of dependency [ 26 ]. However, the coverage provided by the program is income-dependent with varying financial contributions from 10% to 73% of the 3S cost [ 26 ].…”

“…One example of a successful intervention from the government is seen in the South-East region of France, where they implemented a Social Support Services (3S), a formal service developed to provide social support, e.g., household chores, ironing, shopping, or travel support, to retired individuals who are at risk of dependency [ 26 ]. However, the coverage provided by the program is income-dependent with varying financial contributions from 10% to 73% of the 3S cost [ 26 ]. Nevertheless, the study revealed that the implementation of a social assistance program had a positive impact and improved the burden on caregivers, emphasizing the importance of implementing evidence-based programs to support informal caregivers in our country [ 26 ].…”

“…However, the coverage provided by the program is income-dependent with varying financial contributions from 10% to 73% of the 3S cost [ 26 ]. Nevertheless, the study revealed that the implementation of a social assistance program had a positive impact and improved the burden on caregivers, emphasizing the importance of implementing evidence-based programs to support informal caregivers in our country [ 26 ].…”

Opportunities and challenges of integrating artificial intelligence in China's elderly care services

“…Furthermore, Arloto 6 conducted an analysis of the 3S effect of the FCG burden of the elderly in the southeast of France and identified the factors associated with the change in their burden. The study included non-dependent elderly individuals who received 3S FCG while still living at home.…”