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J Community Health (2013) 38:4045 DOI 10.1007/s10900-012-9576-6
ORIGINAL PAPER
Caregivers Burden of Older Adults with Chronic Illnesses in the Community: A Cross-Sectional Study
Panita Limpawattana Ampornpan Theeranut
Jarin Chindaprasirt Kittisak Sawanyawisuth
Jiraporn Pimporm
Published online: 12 June 2012 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2012
Abstract A chronic physical/mental disease not only has direct consequences for the chronically-ill older adults but can also alter the caregivers life. The objectives of this study were to identify burdens of community-dwelling older adults, characteristics of caregivers, severity of caregiver burden, and to develop supportive strategies. Caregivers of community-dwelling older adults were randomly interviewed between February and March 2012. Information on baseline characteristics and caregiver burden using Zarit Burden Inventory (ZBI) was collected. One hundred-fty caregivers were interviewed. The mean ZBI was 20.8 ? 11.3 [95 % CI 19.0, 22.7]. The majority of
caregiver burden was classied as no burden (52 %). The age of caregivers, self-reported health status and duration of care had a positive relationship with ZBI scores while self-reported income had a negative one. Caregiver burden among Thai community-dwelling elder persons was small as most of those cared for had uncomplicated illness but this might be underestimated. Caregiver-dependent factors were more strongly associated with high burden than patient characteristics. Healthcare providers should consider these factors for interventions to alleviate burden.
Keywords Caregiving Chronic disease Older adult
Daily impact Thai caregivers
Introduction
Physical and/or mental disability is prevalent among the elderly which increases with age. Consequently, older people usually need more assistance with daily activities when they are older. To accomplish good clinical care, the caregiver is one of the essential keys. In particular, when the caregiver has an advanced illness such as dementia, is bedridden or has cancer the physical and emotional health of this family member can inuence the overall health of chronically-ill family members [1, 2].
Caregiver burden refers to the physical, nancial, and psychosocial hardships of caring for a loved one, usually a family member who struggles with a medical condition [3]. The impact of chronic illness does not only affect on patients life but also the family and in particular the partners life [4]. Caregiver burden is associated with a decline of physical and psychological health of caregivers in addition to the deteriorating health-related...