Caregiver burden
see Bakas Caregiver Outcome Scale.
Caregiver burden is the stress or strain caregivers experience because of problems and challenges of caregiving. It develops because of the caring tasks or restrictions imposed on the caregiver
It is a multidimensional response to stressors (e.g., physical, psychological, emotional, social, and financial) resulting from caregiving. The caregiver’s perception of the burden, not those of other family members or healthcare providers, is what determines the overall impact on the caregiver’s life.
see Caregiver burden in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus.
A convenience sample of 202 stroke survivor/caregiver pairs were recruited in the neurosurgery unit from March 2015 to March 2016. The participants were assessed at three different times by face to face or telephone interview. Caregiver burden was assessed using the Bakas Caregiver Outcomes Scale. Sociodemographic data and other characteristics of the pairs were also collected. Multiple linear regression was performed to identify the determinants.
Caregiver burden decreased from T1 to T3 significantly. The physical function, depression of stroke survivors, and self-rated burden of caregivers were the most important determinants for overall caregiver burden. The factors identified explained 41.6% to 67.4% of overall burden.
Caregiver burden decreased over time, affected by factors from patients and caregivers. More professional caregivers are needed to support informal carers 1).