RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Most care for people with chronic or disabling conditions living in the community is provided in the family context, and this care is traditionally provided by women. Providing informal care has a negative impact on caregivers' quality of life, which adds to existing health inequalities associated with gender. The aim of this study was to analyze factors associated with the health-related quality of life of caregivers and to determine their differences in a gender-differentiated analysis. METHODS: An observational, cross-sectional, multicenter study was conducted in primary healthcare. A total of 218 caregivers aged 65 years or older were included, all of whom assumed the primary responsibility for caring for people with disabling conditions for at least 6 months per year and agreed to participate in the CuidaCare study. The dependent variable was health-related quality of life, assessed with the EQ-5D. The explanatory variables tested were grouped into sociodemographic variables, subjective burden, caregiving role, social support and variables related to the dependent person. The associations between these variables and health-related quality of life were estimated by fitting robust linear regression models. Separate analyses were conducted for women and men. RESULTS: A total of 72.8% of the sample were women, and 27.2% were men. The mean score on the EQ-5D for female caregivers was 0.64 (0.31); for male caregivers, it was 0.79 (0.23). There were differences by gender in the frequency of reported problems in the dimensions of pain/comfort and anxiety/depression. The variables that were associated with quality of life also differed. Having a positive depression screening was negatively associated with quality of life for both genders: -0.31 points (95% CI: -0.47; -0.15) for female caregivers and -0.48 points (95% CI: -0.92; -0.03) for male caregivers. Perceived burden was associated with quality of life in the adjusted model for women (-0.12 points; 95% CI: -0.19; -0.06), and domestic help was associated in the adjusted model for male caregivers (-0.12 points; 95% CI: -0.19; -0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Gender differences are present in informal caregiving. The impact of providing informal care is different for male and female caregivers, and so are the factors that affect their perceived quality of life. It could be useful it incorporates a gender perspective in the design of nursing support interventions for caregivers to individualize care and improve the quality of life of caregivers. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT01478295 [ https://ClinicalTrials.gov ]. 23/11/2011.
RESUMO
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic imposed lockdown measures that affected caregiving. Understanding caregivers' context provides reveals their adaptive strategies to continue caring in this situation of uncertainty and isolation. Objective: To better understand the caregiving experiences of caregivers looking after dependent individuals living in the community during the pandemic. Design: Qualitative research, phenomenological approach. Setting: Primary healthcare centers in Madrid region (Spain). Participants: 21 family caregivers. Methods: Purposive and theoretical sampling was used to recruit caregivers across nurses from primary healthcare centers. Participants were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide to explore the caring experience. Interview transcripts were evaluated using thematic analysis. Results: The findings were categorized into two themes: "Caregivers during lockdown-providing care in a time of adversity" and "Caregiving toward normality". The sub-themes identified were the re-structuring of before-care services and the introduction of new care approaches, managing the dependent person's health problems, looking after oneself, and dealing with adversity. To adapt to the new normal, strategies were put in place designed to recover confidence and trust, reincorporate assistance, and reconnect with others. Conclusions: Care intensified during the pandemic. Caregivers took on the task without assistance, focusing on preventing contagion and protecting themselves to be able to continue giving care.
RESUMO
Aims: To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health condition of people ≥75 years of age and on their family caregivers in Spain. Design: Multicentric, mixed method concurrent study. Methods: This work, which will be conducted within the primary care setting in 11 administrative regions of Spain, will include three coordinated studies with different methodologies. The first is a population-based cohort study that will use real-life data to analyze the rates and evolution of health needs, care provision, and services utilization before, during, and after the pandemic. The second is a prospective cohort study with 18 months of follow-up that will evaluate the impact of COVID-19 disease on mortality, frailty, functional and cognitive capacity, and quality of life of the participants. Finally, the third will be a qualitative study with a critical social approach to understand and interpret the social, political, and economic dimensions associated with the use of health services during the pandemic. We have followed the SPIRIT Checklist to address trial protocol and related documents. This research is being funded by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III since 2021 and was approved by its ethics committee (June 2022). Discussion: The study findings will reveal the long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the older adults and their caregivers. This information will serve policymakers to adapt health policies to the needs of this population in situations of maximum stress, such as that produced by the COVID-19 pandemic. Trial Registration: Identifier: NCT05249868 [ClinicalTrials.gov].