Burden in Caregivers of Older Adults with Advanced Illness

• DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2010.03177.x
• Publication Date: 2010-11-18T21:01:28Z
• Authors: Katherine Garlo; John R. O'Leary; Peter H. Van Ness; Terri R. Fried
• Keywords: Heart Failure; Male; Depression; Frail Elderly; Communication Barriers; Middle Aged; Neuropsychological Tests; 3. Good health; Cohort Studies; Connecticut; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Caregivers; Neoplasms; Adaptation, Psychological; Multivariate Analysis; Confidence Intervals; Odds Ratio; Humans; Female; Needs Assessment; Aged

OBJECTIVES: To examine caregiver burden over time in caregivers of patients with advanced chronic disease. DESIGN: Observational cohort interviews 12 months. SETTING: Community. PARTICIPANTS: Caregivers 179 community‐living persons aged 60 and older cancer, heart failure (HF), or obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). MEASUREMENTS: Caregiver was assessed using a short‐form the Zarit Burden Inventory to measure psychosocial distress. RESULTS: At baseline, median 5 (interquartile range (IQR) 1–11), which indicates that endorsed having at least two 10 distressing concerns some time. Only 10% reported no burden. Although scores increased modestly time, association between not significant longitudinal multivariable analysis. High associated need for more help daily tasks (odds ratio (OR)=23.13, 95% confidence interval (CI)=5.94–90.06) desire greater communication patient (OR=2.53, CI=1.16–5.53). The analysis did yield evidence associations sociodemographic health characteristics. CONCLUSION: common HF, COPD. caregiver's report but objective measures patient's assistance, such as symptoms functional status, suggesting may be ability adapt caregiving role.