Relationship between Burden of Caring for Older Adult Patients with Chronic Diseases and Family Caregivers Health Status

Family caregivers play an essential role in caring for older adults with chronic
diseases. People with multiple chronic diseases are responsible for the greatest burden on
their caregivers, which in turn will affect significantly their life. Objective: To determine the
relationship between burden of caring for older adult patients with chronic diseases and
family caregivers' health status. Settings: The study was carried out in the outpatient clinics
of Mansoura General Hospital, Mansoura University Specialized Medical Hospital,
Mansoura Main University Hospital, Mansoura New General Hospital and Mansoura
University Oncology center. Subjects: The study subjects included 186 older adult patients
aged 60 years and more, diagnosed with one or more chronic diseases and their family
caregivers aged more than 18 years. Tools: Data was collected using four tools, socio
demographic and clinical data structured interview schedule, Katz and Akpom Scale, the
Zarit Burden Interview and the Short Form-36 Health Survey. Results: Nearly three quarter
(74.7%) of the caregivers reported mild to moderate caregiving burden and 21.5% of them
had severe caregiving burden. A lower mean total score of the physical and mental health
status was found among family caregivers. Conclusion: Caregivers' burden increases by
increasing dependency of the older adult patients. A positive direct relationship was found
between caregivers' burden and their mental health status. Also, between their physical and
mental health status. Recommendations: Develop a guideline to help caregivers of patients
with chronic diseases to care for their patients at home. This will help them to cope with the
burden of caring and manage stress associated with it. Also, teach caregivers about the
available community services, such as respite care and adult day care centers which may help
to decrease caregivers stress and burden.