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Caregivers Burden of Older Adults with Chronic Illnesses in the Community: A Cross-Sectional Study

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Abstract

A chronic physical/mental disease not only has direct consequences for the chronically-ill older adults but can also alter the caregiver’s life. The objectives of this study were to identify burdens of community-dwelling older adults, characteristics of caregivers, severity of caregiver burden, and to develop supportive strategies. Caregivers of community-dwelling older adults were randomly interviewed between February and March 2012. Information on baseline characteristics and caregiver burden using Zarit Burden Inventory (ZBI) was collected. One hundred-fifty caregivers were interviewed. The mean ZBI was 20.8 + 11.3 [95 % CI 19.0, 22.7]. The majority of caregiver burden was classified as no burden (52 %). The age of caregivers, self-reported health status and duration of care had a positive relationship with ZBI scores while self-reported income had a negative one. Caregiver burden among Thai community-dwelling elder persons was small as most of those cared for had uncomplicated illness but this might be underestimated. Caregiver-dependent factors were more strongly associated with high burden than patient characteristics. Healthcare providers should consider these factors for interventions to alleviate burden.

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Acknowledgments

We wish to acknowledge the support of the Khon Kaen University Publication Clinic, Research and Technology Transfer Affairs, Khon Kaen University, for their assistance. This work was supported by the Neuroscience Research and Development Group, Khon Kaen University, Thailand.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Geriatric Medicine, Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Muang District, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand

    Panita Limpawattana

  2. Faculty of Nursing, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand

    Ampornpan Theeranut

  3. Division of Oncology, Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand

    Jarin Chindaprasirt

  4. Division of Ambulatory Medicine, Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand

    Kittisak Sawanyawisuth

  5. Outpatient Clinic, Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand

    Jiraporn Pimporm

Authors
  1. Panita Limpawattana
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  2. Ampornpan Theeranut
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  3. Jarin Chindaprasirt
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  4. Kittisak Sawanyawisuth
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  5. Jiraporn Pimporm
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Correspondence to Panita Limpawattana.

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Limpawattana, P., Theeranut, A., Chindaprasirt, J. et al. Caregivers Burden of Older Adults with Chronic Illnesses in the Community: A Cross-Sectional Study. J Community Health 38, 40–45 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-012-9576-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-012-9576-6

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