Abstract
BackgroundInadequate studies have been conducted in China to examine quality of life in family caregivers. Quality of life in family caregivers for elderly people with chronic diseases was evaluated, and the demographic and characteristic factors of both elderly people and their caregivers were explored.MethodsThe 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) was used to assess health-related quality of life in 407 family caregivers caring for elderly people with chronic diseases in six communities on the Mainland China. The explanatory variables included family caregivers’ demographic and other caregiving variables related to eldercare. Descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression analysis were used in the data analysis, performed via SPSS 17.0.ResultsMean SF-36 and physical and mental component scores were 66.14 ± 17.50, 70.06 ± 16.49, and 62.22 ± 18.51, respectively. The scores of caregivers’ physical function and bodily pain were significantly higher, while the scores of caregivers’ role limitations due to physical problems, general health, vitality, social function, mental health and role limitations due to emotional problems were significantly lower. Caregivers’ ages, comorbidity, the perceived effects of caregiving on caregivers’ social lives and elderly individuals’ ages, marital status and Activities of Daily Living scores were significantly associated with the physical component score. In addition, caregivers’ age, the affordability of the elderly person’s healthcare expenses, the perceived effects of caregiving on caregivers’ social lives, and elderly people’s marital status and ADL scores were significantly associated with the mental component score.ConclusionFamily caregivers for elderly people with chronic diseases showed poorer mental and better physical well-being. Factors of both elderly people and their caregivers impact the caregivers’ quality of life. These findings highlight the importance of addressing mental health of family caregivers, and of providing economical support and psychological care for them.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12955-016-0504-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Highlights
Inadequate studies have been conducted in China to examine quality of life in family caregivers
Caregivers’ physical function (PF) and bodily pain (BP) were significantly higher relative to the Chinese national norms, which were calculated using 17,754 study subjects who were randomly selected from six cities of China [33]
Younger age and fewer comorbidities in caregivers as well as younger age, being married, and independent Activities of Daily Living (ADL) status in the elderly were significantly associated with a higher physical component scores (PCS)
Summary
Inadequate studies have been conducted in China to examine quality of life in family caregivers. Confronted with nation-wide aging problems and influenced by traditional culture, more and more Chinese people are undertaking the task of caring their aging parents or other elderly members. On the mainland China, approximately one fifth of the total population is aged 60 years and older, accounting more than 200 million in total. This segment of the population will increase to 400 million within 10 years [1]. 60 % of elderly Chinese people are estimated to have.
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