Quality of life and care burden among informal caregivers of elderly dependents in Catalonia

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: $e Quality of Life (QOL) of primary caregivers may have decreased. $e a im of this study was to assess the objective and subjective elements related to QOL of the primary caregivers of the dependent elderly. $e theoretical framework used was the role theory and socialization process of care and the theory of social disengagement. METHODOLOGY: Qualitative study. $e sample consisted of n=22 informal caregivers of peo ple over 75 years old treated by the Primary Home Care Service Center of Vilafranca del Penedes (Barcelona, Spain). Dimensions used were: sociodemographic data, quality of life and happiness, care burden, social and family relationships, motivation and feelings when caring and the health status of the caregiver. $e technique chosen was a semi-structured interview . RESULTS: In our study, half of the caregivers had a regular perception of health and QOL, care burden, a self-care de%cit and contradictory feelings towards caring. CONCLUSIONS: $e Informal caregivers of dependent elderly of the home care program are main ly older women and with one or more chronic condition. $ey have a self-care de%cit. $ey say they have little social and perso nal life.