Physical Strength Perception of Older Caregivers in Rural Areas.

Laura Muñoz-Bermejo,Daniel Collado-Mateo,Santos Villafaina,José Carmelo Adsuar,Salvador Postigo-Mota

doi:10.3390/medicina55100692

Abstract

Background and objective: In an aging population, it is increasingly common for older adults to take care of other older adults. Caregiving tasks may be conditioned by the aging process. This study aims to analyze the perceived physical strength of older caregivers and its impact on the functional capacity to engage in caregiving activities. Methods: A discretionary sampling of caregivers (N = 107), ≥65 years old, in the rural health area of Badajoz (Spain) participated in this cross-sectional study. Measurements included questions about the caregiver’s role (experience, years, hours, difficulties, demands) and their perceived physical strength, ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL), need for help or difficulty for caring. Results: Older caregivers from rural areas perceived a lack of physical strength (71%). These caregivers need more help, have more difficulties, and show less ability to perform ADL. Furthermore, around 80% of the people who had a lack of strength were caring for people with severe or total dependence. There is a direct correlation between the perceived lack of physical strength and the ability to perform basic (r = 0.382, p < 0.01) and instrumental (r = 0.370, p < 0.01) activities. Conclusions: Therefore, the perception of strength and the characteristics of the cared for person may be crucial variables to successfully conduct caregiving tasks.

Highlights

The increase in the population’s life expectancy has increased the demand for older adult care in western industrialized countries [1]
Older caregivers report greater dependence on instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) [14] and greater morbidity associated with physical frailty [15], which implies a decrease in the quality of life related to health [16] and satisfaction with life [17]
More than 70% of the older caregivers from rural areas perceived they had a lack of strength to conduct their caregiving tasks

Summary

Introduction

The increase in the population’s life expectancy has increased the demand for older adult care in western industrialized countries [1]. The care demands fall upon informal caregivers, i.e., the family, which is the primary health care provider [3]. In this regard, these chores are commonly assumed by kinships’ older adults, such as the wife or husband, siblings, and even children exceeding the chronological barrier of 60 years [4]. Measurements included questions about the caregiver’s role (experience, years, hours, difficulties, demands) and their perceived physical strength, ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL), need for help or difficulty for caring. Results: Older caregivers from rural areas perceived a lack of physical strength (71%) These caregivers need more help, have more difficulties, and show less ability to perform ADL. Conclusions: the perception of strength and the characteristics of the cared for person may be crucial variables to successfully conduct caregiving tasks

Objectives

Discussion

Conclusion