The health of family caregivers of older impaired persons in Lebanon: an interview survey.

BACKGROUND: The majority of older persons in Lebanon live with their family, which provides the help and care required when their relative is functionally impaired. Knowing that taking care of an older impaired relative is considered a source of enrichment for the caregiver and an act of gratitude towards the older person in Lebanon. However, there are few formal resources to support these families. This study is informed by a theoretical framework of stress. OBJECTIVE: Identify the dimensions of the caring context related to the health of Lebanese family caregivers living with an older impaired relative. DESIGN: Exploratory correlational study. PARTICIPANTS: Convenience sample (N=319) drawn from all the regions of Lebanon according to predetermined quotas on the basis of relative demographic weight and socio-economic class. The inclusion criteria are: aged 18 years or over; primary caregiver; provided help with at least one ADL or IADL once a week; lived with the older impaired person. 13.5% refused to participate in the study. The caregivers recruited were female (84%), adult children (48%) or spouses (22.6%) with a mean age of 46 years. Almost half of them reported a post-compulsory level of education and a low monthly household income and no medical coverage for 68% of them. METHODS: The data were collected during a face-to-face interviews with the caregivers in their homes. RESULTS: The results from regression analyses indicate that the degree of functional impairment, the frequency of depressive and disruptive behaviours of cared-for relative are linked to at least one of three caregiver health indicators (p<.01). Also, caregiver cognitive appraisal of these stressors is associated with either role strain or feeling of helplessness (p<.05). The informal emotional support received by caregivers is positively related to well-being (p<.001), whereas interpersonal conflicts with family and friends diminish caregiver well-being and increase role strain (p<.001). Sufficiency of emotional support received is negatively associated with role strain (p<.001). CONCLUSION: Many stressors proved associated with one or other of the health indicators under study and the resources emerged as significant factors related to caregiver's health.

[Caregivers of elderly people with loss of autonomy in Lebanon: what is the context of their health care?]. / Les aidants familiaux de personnes agées en perte d'autonomie au Liban: quel est leur contexte de soin?

The primary objective of this pan Lebanese study was to describe the health care context of family caregivers cohabiting with an elderly relative with loss of autonomy while the secondary objective consisted in the qualitative documentation of their positive and negative perceptions as to the role of the caregivers. The study uses a theoretical framework of stress. The results indicate that the caregivers (N = 319) take care of relatives (40% with memory troubles) having a moderate level of loss of autonomy and who present more depressive behaviors than "disturbing" behaviors. The caregivers are particularly affected by the behaviors of their relatives. They accomplish several health care tasks and very few receive formal services to support them. Their neighborhood offers them more emotional support than instrumental support. More caregivers perceive positive aspects than negative aspects in their role. Recommendations are formulated to guide the elaboration of a national policy of support to caregivers and the development of innovative community care practices.