Variability in perceived burden and health trajectories among older caregivers: a population-based study in Sweden.
J Epidemiol Community Health
; 77(2): 125-132, 2023 02.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-36543532
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The negative effects of informal caregiving are determined by the characteristics of the caregiver-care receiver dyad and the context of care. In this study, we aimed to identify which subgroups of older informal caregivers (1) experience the greatest subjective burden and (2) incur a faster decline in objective health status.METHODS:
From a total of 3363 older participants in the Swedish National study on Aging and Care in Kungsholmen (SNAC-K), we identified 629 informal caregivers (19.2%, mean age 69.9 years). Limitations to life and perceived burden were self-reported, and objective health status was quantified using the comprehensive clinical and functional Health Assessment Tool (HAT) score (range 0-10). Ordered logistic regressions and linear mixed models were used to estimate the associations between caregiving-related exposures and subjective outcomes (cross-sectionally) and objective health trajectories (over 12 years), respectively.RESULTS:
Having a dual role (providing and receiving care simultaneously), caring for a spouse, living in the same household as the care receiver and spending more hours on caregiving were associated with more limitations and burden. In addition, having a dual role (ß=-0.12, 95% CI -0.23 to -0.02) and caring for a spouse (ß=-0.08, 95% CI -0.14 to -0.02) were associated with a faster HAT score decline. Being female and having a poor social network were associated with an exacerbation of the health decline.CONCLUSIONS:
Both the heterogeneity among caregivers and the related contextual factors should be accounted for by policymakers as well as in future research investigating the health impact of informal caregiving.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Nível de Saúde
/
Cuidadores
Tipo de estudo:
Prognostic_studies
Limite:
Aged
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Female
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Humans
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Male
País/Região como assunto:
Europa
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2023
Tipo de documento:
Article