Perfil e sobrecarga em cuidadores familiares de idosos

Demographic and epidemiologic transition processes take place in several state capitals with a considerable increase of the elderly population, which is also characterized by the decay in functional capacity and need for continuous care. The family caregiver is the main responsible for taking care of the dependent elderly and fits this role into his/her daily tasks. This may contribute to the emergence of overload related to emotional, physical, economic and social aspects. This work analyses the burden of family caregivers of elderly in Recife, identifying the main sociodemographic characteristics of both the elderly and the family caregivers. In addition, it depicts the caring characteristics as well as the burden, relating it to the characteristics of the caregiver, the elderly and the care provided. This is an epidemiologic, descriptive and cross-sectional study that involved 138 caregivers and was carried out in 2014 through household survey. In addition to this, two questionnaires and Zarit scale on caregiver burden were used. It has been found that caregivers are mostly female, children of elderly, they have an average age of 51.83 years old, completed high school education, low income and have no paid professional activity. Furthermore, they reported good health perception, however, high blood pressure emerged as the main issue, for which they use prescribed medication, seek health services; and practice self-medication for back pain and headache. The elderly are, mostly, female, widowed, 80 years old or more, have incomplete primary education and low income. The care was provided for 7.7 years on average, with high daily workload and without financial hardship. It has been observed light to moderate burden in most of the caregivers, which was associated to the caregiver’s profile.