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Relationships between gender, age, family conditions, physical and mental health, and social isolation of elderly caregivers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 September 2011

Anita Liberalesso Neri ,
Mônica Sanches Yassuda ,
Andréa Cristina Garofe Fortes-Burgos ,
Efigênia Passarelli Mantovani ,
Flávia Silva Arbex ,
Stella Vidal de Souza Torres ,
Mônica Rodrigues Perracini  and
Maria Elena Guariento
Anita Liberalesso Neri*
Affiliation:
School of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil Department of Educational Psychology, State University of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
Mônica Sanches Yassuda
Affiliation:
School of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
Andréa Cristina Garofe Fortes-Burgos
Affiliation:
Department of Gerontology, Center of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
Efigênia Passarelli Mantovani
Affiliation:
School of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
Flávia Silva Arbex
Affiliation:
School of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
Stella Vidal de Souza Torres
Affiliation:
School of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
Mônica Rodrigues Perracini
Affiliation:
School of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil School of Medical Sciences, City University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
Maria Elena Guariento
Affiliation:
School of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Anita Liberalesso Neri, PhD, Universidade Estadual de Campinas – Unicamp, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Comissão de Pós-Graduação, Av. Tessália Vieira de Camargo, 126, Cidade Universitária “Zeferino Vaz”, Barão Geraldo, Campinas-SP, CEP 13083-970, Brazil. Phone: +55 19 3521 9087. Email: anitalbn@fcm.unicamp.br.
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Abstract

Background: In an aging population an increasing number of elderly caregivers will be called upon to provide care over a long period, during which time they will be burdened both by caregiving and by the physiological effects of their own aging. Among them there will be more aged male caregivers, who will probably be less prepared than women to become caregivers. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between caregivers’ gender, age, family income, living arrangements and social support as independent variables, and depressive symptoms, comorbidities, level of frailty, grip strength, walking speed and social isolation, as dependent variables.

Methods: 176 elderly people (123 women) were selected from a sample of a population-based study on frailty (n = 900), who had cared for a spouse (79.3%) and/or parents (31.4%) in the past five years (mean age = 71.8 ± 4.86 years; mean monthly family income in minimum wages = 4.64 ± 5.14). The study used questionnaires and self-report scales, grip strength and walking speed tests.

Results: 65% of participants evaluated caregiving as being very stressful. Univariate analyses of regression showed low family income as a risk factor for depression; being female and low perceived social support as a risk for comorbidities; being 80 years of age and above for low grip strength; and being male for social isolation indicated by discontinuity of activities and social roles. In multivariate analyses of regression, poverty arose as a risk factor for depression and being female for comorbidities.

Conclusions: Gender roles, age, income and social support interacted with physical and emotional health, and with the continuity of social participation of elderly caregivers. Special attention must be given to male caregivers.

Keywords

caregivingburdenhealthpsychological well-beingsocial engagement
Type
Research Article
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 24 , Issue 3 , March 2012 , pp. 472 - 483
Copyright
Copyright © International Psychogeriatric Association 2011

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