Positive aspects of family caregiving of dependent elderly

Abstract

La investigación más reciente ha mostrado la presencia de aspectos positivos en la tarea de cuidado. El objetivo de nuestro estudio es doble: por un lado, comprobar la presencia de consecuencias positivas en el cuidado informal de una persona mayor dependiente, y en segundo lugar, analizar la relación entre estos aspectos positivos y diferentes variables. Participaron en el estudio 140 cuiadores familiars de personas mayores dependientes. 79 mayores tenían demencia y 63 estaban institucionalizados.

Previous research recently revealed the presence of positive aspects in caregiving. The study had a double objective: first, to identify positive aspects of family caregiving; second, to analyse the relationship between these caregiving rewards and different variables. A total of 140 family caregivers of dependent elderly participated in the study. Out of these, 79 of the elderly suffered dementia and 63 were institutionalized. Caregivers satisfaction and quality of life was above average. Those caregivers who perceived a good quality of relationship with their elder presented more satisfaction than the others. Problems in quality of life showed a positive relationship with the level of dependence of the elder. On the other hand, the more level of dependence of the elder, the greater the level of satisfaction of the caregiver. Those caregivers with a good relationship showed less provisional meaning than those with a normal or a bad relationship. We confirm the relevance of the caregiver-elder relationship, which can be improved and modified through specific preventive interventions. Our findings indicate that interventions for caregivers of people with dementia should explore ways to find meaning in caregiving.