TRANSFERS, DIFFICULTIES, AND CARE STRESS AMONG FAMILY CAREGIVERS OF OLDER ADULTS LIVING WITH DISABILITIES IN CHINA

Abstract

Abstract Family caregivers are critical sources of support to older adults living with disabilities, but they also need to cope with caregiving stress and difficulties brought by the caregiving process. This study aimed to explore the associations between family transfers (i.e., time transfer and financial transfer), perceived difficulties of caregiving, and caregiving stress among family caregivers of older adults living with disabilities. Respondents were randomly selected from 6 urban districts and 6 rural towns in Shandong province, China. Data from 220 older adults living with disabilities and their family caregivers were analyzed. Caregiving stress were divided into three categories (mild stress, moderate stress and high stress). Difficulties were divided into four categories (insufficient care abilities, economic hardship, time conflicts, and inadequate nursing equipment). Family caregivers reported moderate to high levels of caregiving stress. Results from multivariate ordinal logistic regression shows that family caregivers providing nine or more hours of care per day reported higher levels of caregiving stress than those who provided 8 or less hours of care per day (9 to 12 hours: OR=2.92, p<.05; 13 to 16 hours: OR=2.66, p<.05). Caregivers who perceived insufficient care abilities, economic hardship, and time conflicts were more likely to report caregiving stress. Respites in the forms of caregiver support group and day care attendance for older adults living with disabilities may reduce caregiver stress. Educational program and professional knowledge training courses may be helpful in reducing caregiving stress. The long-term care insurance system should be promoted to provide social support for family caregivers.