Impact of Caregiving on Health and Quality of Life: A Comparative Population-Based Study of Caregivers for Elderly Persons and Noncaregivers

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the impact of caregiving on the health status and quality of life (QOL) of primary informal caregivers (PCGs) of elderly care recipients in Hong Kong. A total of 246 PCGs and 492 matched noncaregiver (NCG) controls were identified in a population-based cross-sectional study through random telephone dialing. Their health status and QOL were assessed based on structured questionnaires and Short Form 36 (SF-36) Health Survey. Multiple conditional logistic regression analysis showed that compared with NCGs, PCGs had significantly increased risks for reporting worse health, more doctor visits, anxiety and depression, and weight loss. Female PCGs were more likely to report chronic diseases, symptoms, and insomnia. PCGs, particularly women, had significantly lower scores in all eight domains of SF-36 Health Survey. High caregiver burden score (Zarit Burden Scale) was positively associated with adverse physical and psychological health and poorer QOL. The results indicate that PCGs, particularly women, had an adverse physical and psychological health profile and poorer QOL compared with NCGs.

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“…25,26,43 A sobrecarga também foi negativamente associada com a dimensão psicológica da qualidade de vida. 37,38 Os estudos corroboram a importância de se avaliar e intervir na sobrecarga percebida. Além disso, é preciso considerar outras situações potencialmente estressantes não relacionados ao cuidado.…”

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“…The ILO estimates that there is a global shortage of 13.6 million formal LTC workers. The highest deficits are in Asia and the Pacific (8.2 million LTC workers), in consequence of the higher numbers of older persons in that region (Scheil-Adlung, 2015).Since family ties have weakened as a result of urbanization and other demographic changes, there is a growing demand for accessible and affordable non-family LTC services of good quality both in developed and developing economies (Ho et al, 2009;Tawiah, 2011;Scheil-Adlung, 2015). Most countries across the world, however, do not provide any LTC legal protection (figure 34).…”

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