Sobrecarga de trabalho em cuidadores de idosos fragilizados que vivem no domicílio

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the burden of caregivers of frail elders living at home; to characterize elderly that are considered frail and their caregivers; to assess the degree of dependency of the elderly according to the level of frailty and to correlate it with the burden of work of their caregivers. Methods: A transversal study with a sample of 60 caregivers and frail elderly who lived at home. Data collection was conducted in the home with frail elders and their caregivers. We used the sociodemographic profile of the elderly and the caregiver instruments, the Edmonton Frail Scale, the Functional Independence Measure for the elderly, and the Zarit Burden Interview Scale for the caregivers. Descriptive statistics and the Pearson test were employed for data analysis. Results: The majority of caregivers were female (75%), married (58.3%) and were children of the elderly (45%). Regarding the burden, 31.7% said they rarely felt burdened. However, a correlation was found between frailty and burden: the higher the level of frailty, the greater the caregiver burden. Conclusion: It was found that the majority of caregivers were female and the greater the degree of functional dependence, the greater the degree of frailty, which elevated the level of caregiver burden. Keywords: Caregivers; Frail elderly; Geriatric nursing ReSumoObjetivos: Avaliar a sobrecarga dos cuidadores de idosos fragilizados que residem no domicílio; caracterizar os idosos que são considerados frágeis e seus cuidadores; avaliar o grau de dependência dos idosos de acordo com o nível de fragilidade e correlacioná-lo com a sobrecarga de trabalho dos seus cuidadores. Métodos: Estudo transversal com amostra de 60 cuidadores e de idosos frágeis, que viviam no domicílio. A coleta de dados realizada no domicílio com idosos frágeis e seus cuidadores. Utilizaram-se os instrumentos de perfil sociodemográfico do idoso e do cuidador, a Escala de Fragilidade de Edmonton, a Medida da Independência Funcional para os idosos e a Escala Zarit Burden Interview, para os cuidadores. Para a análise foram empregados a estatística descritiva e o teste de Pearson. Resultados: A maioria dos cuidadores era do sexo feminino (75%), casados (58,3%) e, 45% eram filhos. Quanto à sobrecarga, 31,7% responderam que raramente se sentiam sobrecarregados. Mas, houve correlação entre a fragilidade e a sobrecarga, ou seja, quanto maior o nível de fragilidade, maior a sobrecarga do cuidador. Conclusão: Evidenciou-se a maioria dos cuidadores do sexo feminino e quanto maior o grau de dependência funcional, maior o grau de fragilidade o que eleva o nível de sobrecarga do cuidador. Descritores: Cuidadores; Idoso fragilizado; Enfermagem geriátrica ReSumeNObjetivos: Evaluar la sobrecarga de los cuidadores de ancianos frágiles que residen en el domicilio; caracterizar a los ancianos que son considerados frágiles y sus cuidadores; evaluar el grado de dependencia de los ancianos de acuerdo con el nivel de fragilidad y correlacionarlo con la sobrecarga de trabajo de sus cuidadores. Métodos: Estu...

Quality of life of relative caregivers of elderly dependents at home

“…The predominance of female caregivers with children and in stable relationships is confirmed by the findings of previous nationwide studies 15,[23][24] and international studies. 7,25 This finding highlights the role of women, who are historically defined as functioning as care providers; 23 this is seen as natural by women and society, since it is written into the social role of mothers.…”

“…7,25 This finding highlights the role of women, who are historically defined as functioning as care providers; 23 this is seen as natural by women and society, since it is written into the social role of mothers. Caring for elderly family members, therefore, is one more role that women have in the domestic sphere.…”

“…Male participation as caregivers is important, 7,15,[23][24][25] as shown for example in a study conducted in Portugal, 7 which noted an increase in male caregivers. In our study, male caregivers represented only 15.5% of the sample, showing that although they are in the minority, they also contribute as main caregivers.…”

“…7,15,[22][23][24][25] A study 12 concerning the profiles of caregivers of elderly persons reported this variable and identified that most caregivers declared themselves to be white, which can be related to the southeastern region of Brazil, where the research was conducted. In contrast, this study identified that most of the caregivers declared themselves as black (bi-racial/black), the predominant race/ color in northeast Brazil.…”

<b>Concepção de saúde de cuidadores de indivíduos com úlcera por pressão/ Conception of health caregivers of individuals with pressure ulcer <b>

“…Em pesquisa semelhante, também foi evidenciada a predominância de cuidadores do sexo feminino 8 . Outra pesquisa realizada com cuidadores de idosos constatou que grande parte dos cuidadores era do gênero feminino, casados e filha do indivíduo que requeria o cuidado 9 . Tal fato pode estar relacionado ao ato de cuidar, culturalmente e socialmente, realizado pela mulher, que, normalmente, tem filhos, marido, atividades domésticas, além de atividades laborais.…”