The Impact of Informal Caregiving for Older Adults on the Health of Various Types of Caregivers: A Systematic Review

Bom, Judith; Bakx, Pieter; Schut, Erik; Doorslaer, Eddy van

doi:10.1093/geront/gny137

Cited by 230 publications

(304 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…Despite these results, recent literature reviews have shown the negative health impact of providing informal care [ 11 , 12 ]. A systematic review covering studies from various continents/countries (Europe, Asia, United States and Australia) highlights the negative impact of caregiving on the mental and physical health of the informal caregiver, especially female, married caregivers and those providing intensive care [ 11 ]. Cottagiri and Sykes [ 12 ] stress musculoskeletal disorders and psychological issues (such as depression, stress and anxiety) as the main health impacts of providing informal care.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Health impact of providing informal care in Portugal

2020

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Background Middle-aged and older adults play an important role in the provision of informal support, however, the impact on the health of those individuals who provide informal care is unclear. The main objectives of this study are: (1) to assess the prevalence of co-residential caregiving provided by individuals aged 50+; (2) to analyze differences between the group of Portuguese co-residential caregivers and the group of Portuguese non-caregivers; (3) to examine the longitudinal effect of providing informal care on the health of co-residential informal caregivers in Portugal. Methods Data from wave 4 and wave 6 of the Survey of Health Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) were used. A linear mixed model and a generalized mixed model were used to analyze the longitudinal effect of providing informal care on the health (physical health and depressive symptoms) of Portuguese individuals aged 50 + . Results In both SHARE waves analyzed, Portugal had the highest percentage of co-residential caregivers aged 50+. At baseline, the Portuguese co-residential caregiver population, compared to non-caregivers, has a lower percentage of employed individuals (14.9% compared to 25.7%) and a higher percentage of individuals with four or more depressive symptoms (56.4% compared to 35.5%). The caregivers also have a lower quality of life (CASP-12) (30.93 compared to 32.59). Marginal differences in educational levels between the caregiver and non-caregiver groups were also found, with co-residential caregivers having lower levels of education (72.3% have ISCED 0–2 compared to 64.7%), lower levels of cognitive function (− 2.321 compared to − 1.784), lower levels of physical health (− 0.180 compared to − 0.076) and lower engagement in moderate or vigorous physical activity (14.9% compared to 21.5%). Longitudinal models reveal that providing care within the household is not associated with physical health (b = 0.048; se = 0.035; p = 0.167), but is associated with depressive symptoms (OR = 1.609; 95% CI = 1.141–2.271; p = < 0.010). Conclusions Portugal has the highest percentage of co-residential caregivers aged 50+. In that country, providing informal care to a household member is associated with depressive symptoms. Portuguese policymakers should therefore promote programs to prevent and alleviate the depressive symptoms experienced by individuals aged 50+, who provide co-residential care.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Health impact of providing informal care in Portugal

2020

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“…Por lo general, los cuidadores informales no reciben remuneración económica por esta tarea 4 , ni tampoco cuentan con la formación para los diferentes cuidados que proveen 5 . Así, el cuida-do puede llegar a convertirse en una tarea muy exigente, provocando tensión física, fatiga, desgaste emocional o estrés 6,7 , lo que en situaciones extremas puede dar paso al llamado "síndrome del cuidador", donde el individuo se siente incapaz de afrontar todas las responsabilidades que le exige el cuidado, llegando a una situación de sobrecarga que compromete su bienestar, y que puede desencadenar alteraciones en su salud física y emocional 8 .…”

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“…En esta línea, varios son los estudios que se han realizado para determinar si proveer cuidado informal se asocia negativamente con la salud tanto física como mental del cuidador, lo cual ha sido ampliamente confirmado por varios de estos estudios, destacando algunas revisiones sistemáticas y metaanálisis efectuados 6,9,10 . En el caso particular de América Latina, si bien la evidencia existente es aún escasa, esta también sugiere que el cuidado compromete la salud de quien cuida 5,[11][12][13][14] .…”

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“…En el caso particular de América Latina, si bien la evidencia existente es aún escasa, esta también sugiere que el cuidado compromete la salud de quien cuida 5,[11][12][13][14] . Ahora bien, uno de los problemas que se suscita al intentar estudiar la relación entre cuidado informal y salud, es que ser cuidador no es algo que se dé aleatoriamente en la población, existiendo un sesgo de selección 6,15,16 . Ser cuidador depende, entre otras cosas, de la habilidad del potencial cuidador para proveer cuidado, o del tiempo disponible para realizar esta tarea.…”

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El efecto del cuidado informal en la salud de los cuidadores familiares de personas mayores dependientes en Chile

Fernández

Herrera

2020

Rev. méd. Chile

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Health effects of dependent older people caregiving by family members Background: Care required by dependent older people is mostly provided by close family members. Caregiving is a demanding task, negatively affecting the physical and mental health of the caregiver. Aim: To describe the sociodemographic characteristics of informal caregivers of dependent elderly people in Chile and to evaluate the effect of providing care on the health of caregivers. Material and Methods: Data from the Economic Characterization Survey (CASEN) done in 2015 was used. Using as index cases older people who were receiving care from a family member, 4,313 informal caregivers were identified, whose characteristics were analyzed. Descriptive statistics and matching through propensity score were estimated, based on a logistic model, which included covariates such as sex, age, marital status, education, occupation, and income. Finally, the effect of being an informal caregiver versus not being a caregiver on the perception of health was calculated. Results. Forty four percent of the caregivers were offspring and 33.6% couples. Sixty seven percent were women, with a mean age of 56.5 years. Half of them had a partner, 43% had basic education or less, and 61% were inactive. Being a caregiver had a significant effect of health perception. Conclusions: People belonging to certain more vulnerable groups are more likely to assume caregiving. Providing care to a dependent older person has a negative effect on health perception.

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“…However, we know that family members providing care to those with long-term chronic or terminal conditions can experience physical, emotional, social and financial distress, as well as short-and long-term health impacts (Bom, Bakx, Schut, & Doorslaer, 2018;Cameron, Franche, Cheung, & Stewart, 2002;Grande, Farquhar, Barclay, & Todd, 2004;Keating & Eales, 2017;Zarit, 2004). Their abilities to control the impact of care provision on their health can be limited once they make the commitment to care, especially when client symptoms are complex, other supports are lacking, or carers have additional family or employment responsibilities.…”

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confidence: 99%

Applying the concept of structural empowerment to interactions between families and home‐care nurses

et al. 2019

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Interpretations of family carer empowerment in much nursing research, and in home‐care practice and policy, rarely attend explicitly to families’ choice or control about the nature, extent or length of their involvement, or control over the impact on their own health. In this article, structural empowerment is used as an analytic lens to examine home‐care nurses’ interactions with families in one Western Canadian region. Data were collected from 75 hrs of fieldwork in 59 interactions (18 nurses visiting 16 families) and interviews with 12 nurses and 11 family carers. Generally, nurses prioritized client empowerment, and their practice with families appeared oriented to supporting their role and needs as carers (i.e. rather than as unique individuals beyond the caring role), and reinforcing the caring role through validation and recognition. Although families generally expressed appreciation for these interactions, a structural empowerment lens illustrates how the broad context of home care shapes the interpretation and practice of empowerment in ways that can, paradoxically, be disempowering for families. Opportunities to effectively support family choice and control when a client is being cared for at home are discussed.

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The Impact of Informal Caregiving for Older Adults on the Health of Various Types of Caregivers: A Systematic Review

Cited by 230 publications

References 37 publications

Health impact of providing informal care in Portugal

Health impact of providing informal care in Portugal

El efecto del cuidado informal en la salud de los cuidadores familiares de personas mayores dependientes en Chile

Applying the concept of structural empowerment to interactions between families and home‐care nurses

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