Abstract
A chronic physical/mental disease not only has direct consequences for the chronically-ill older adults but can also alter
the caregiver’s 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-fifty caregivers were interviewed. The mean ZBI was 20.8 + 11.3
[95 % CI 19.0, 22.7]. The majority of caregiver burden was classified 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.
the caregiver’s 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-fifty caregivers were interviewed. The mean ZBI was 20.8 + 11.3
[95 % CI 19.0, 22.7]. The majority of caregiver burden was classified 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.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-6
- DOI 10.1007/s10900-012-9576-6
- Authors
- Panita Limpawattana, Division of Geriatric Medicine, Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Muang District, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
- Ampornpan Theeranut, Faculty of Nursing, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
- Jarin Chindaprasirt, Division of Oncology, Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
- Kittisak Sawanyawisuth, Division of Ambulatory Medicine, Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
- Jiraporn Pimporm, Outpatient Clinic, Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
- Journal Journal of Community Health
- Online ISSN 1573-3610
- Print ISSN 0094-5145