Abstract

SILVA FHON, Jack Roberto et al. Overburden and quality of life of the primary elderly caregiver. av.enferm. [online]. 2016, vol.34, n.3, pp.251-258. ISSN 0121-4500.  https://doi.org/10.15446/av.enferm.v34n3.58704.

Objective: To determine the overburden and quality of life of the primary elderly caregiver of the elderly attended in a consulting room of geriatrics. Methodology: Quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study, with 183 elderly and their caregivers from a consulting room of geriatrics. For data collection, the demographic profile instruments for the elderly and their caregivers Zarit Scale and the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item (SF-36) were used. The analysis was carried out using descriptive statistics and Spearman correlation test, with a significance level of p ≤ 0.05. Results: Among elderly participants, there was a male predominance; the average age was of 74.8 years, and they were married. In respect of caregivers, there was a female predominance; the average age was of 44.3 years. All of the caregivers had high education level, they were married and they were sons/daughters of elderly. In accordance with Zarit scale assessment, 18.1% had some overburden; in respect of quality of life, dimensions with lowest score were General health, Mental health, and Vitality. An inverse correlation between total score of Zarit scale and all dimensions of quality of life was found. Conclusion: A decrease of quality of life was found, due to the overburden in the elderly caring. It is therefore necessary to accompany the health status of caregivers in order to prevent physical and mental alterations.

Keywords : Caregivers; Aged; Cost of Illness; Quality of Life; Geriatric Nursing (source: DeCS BIREME).

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