Objective:

To determine the effect of the "Caring for caregivers®" program on the care ability of family caregivers of people with rheumatoid arthritis in a health service provider institution in the city of Barranquilla.

Methodology:

Pre-experimental quantitative study, with pre-test-post-test design with a group. The sample consisted of 40 family caregivers. A characterisation card of the pair caregiver-person with chronic illness was used for the sociodemographic profile of the caregiver, as well as the Care Skill Inventory (CAI) before starting the program and after finishing. An analysis was made from descriptive statistics and measures of central tendency, in order to determine the profile of the caregivers in the dimensions: knowledge, value, and patience, and in the care ability. Inferential tests were used.

Results:

The family caregivers of people with rheumatoid arthritis are mostly women, married or in free union, home occupation, and of low socioeconomic strata. The implementation of the "Caring for caregivers" program had an effect on the care ability of family caregivers, as reported in different studies. It was identified that knowledge and value increased significantly, while the patience component showed a slight change.

Conclusions:

The "Caring for caregivers" program had an effect on the ability to care. Intervention should be considered as an initiative in the development of care ability in caregivers of people with rheumatoid arthritis.

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