Problems experienced by the informal caregiver of an elderly person in a situation of dependency

Abstract

Introduction: Currently, the demographic and epidemiological changes experienced in Portugal made it an aging country leading to the need to take care of dependent people. The informal caregiver is assumed as a fundamental element, with increased responsibilities in caring for the elderly who is in a dependence situation. Objective: To Identify the problems experienced and or the difficulties perceived by informal caregivers of dependent people. Methods: A cross-sectional and analytical study was performed. The sample consisted of 77 informal caregivers. Most of them were female (88.3%) with age ranging from 22 to 96 years (Mean±SD of 57.03 ± 13.52 years). Married caregivers were 84.4% of the sample and 70.1% of them lived in the countryside. Data were collected through a questionnaire consisting of sociodemographic variables for caregivers and the dependent person, the Carers Advisory of Difficulties Index (CADI) to identify informal caregiver needs. The Barthel Index was used to identify the degree of dependence. Results: It was found that 32.5% of the individuals were totally dependent, 27.2% with mild dependence, 22.1% with severe dependence, and 18.2% with moderate dependence. Thus, it was noted that 72.8% of individuals presented with moderate to high dependence. Informal caregivers manifested as their main difficulties, the relational problems, reactions to care, physical demands, restrictions on social life, unsupportive family, little professional support, and financial problems. Conclusions: Informal caregivers perceived some difficulties, which were consequences of caring for the dependent person. We highlighted the dimensions ‘Reactions to care delivery’, ‘Physical requirements in care delivery’, and ‘Relational problems with the dependent person’ as the most critical ones.