The perceived burden of informal caregivers of independently living elderly and their ideas about possible solutions. A mixed methods approach

Abstract

BACKGROUND: More care tasks are transferred to the social environment to cope with an aging society. However, informal caregivers can become burdened and interventions are needed to support them. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to explore the perceived burden of informal caregivers and how they currently cope with caregiver burden. In addition, we explored their ideas about potential solutions to diminish their burden, in order to define starting points to facilitate elderly people’s ability to live longer independently in their own homes. METHODS: Our mixed methods study consisted of a paper-and-pencil-based survey (N = 30) followed by qualitative interviews (N = 8). RESULTS: Main sources of burden: time-consuming and exhaustive nature of caring, becoming totally absorbed by the caregiving situation, a perceived lack of support, concerns about well-being and safety of care recipients. Main solutions: living day by day, creating a strict time schedule and clear task division, use of elderly daycare, institutionalization, home adaptations, use of supportive homecare and volunteers. CONCLUSION: Creating awareness of the added value of using technology in informal care caregivers is needed in order to enable caregivers to provide longer informal care to their relatives. They have to try the technological support opportunities in practice, and they need examples of applications and experience stories of peers.