Factors Related to the Need for Informal Care Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Chile

Abstract

Purpose: To identify factors contributing to the need for informal care among community-dwelling older adults with functional impairment in Chile. Method: A secondary data analysis was conducted using cross-sectional data from 540 Chilean older adults aged ≥60 years (mean age = 72.2 years, SD = 6.22 years). Results: Informal care need was reported by 24.3% ( n = 131) of participants. Among the variables that most influenced the need for informal care among older adults were hospitalization in the past 1 year, functionality, comorbidities, and multidimensional frailty (all p < 0.05). Conclusion: This study identified factors that clinicians and nurses should be aware of when caring for this population to prevent or manage the need for informal care. [ Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 50 (2), 43–52.]