Overload and quality of life in caregivers of functionally dependent older adults

Abstract

Introduction: The aging of the population in Cuba has led to an increasing number of people assuming the role of caregivers in the Cuban population. These people are forced to rearrange their daily actions according to the patients they care for. Objective: To determine the overload and quality of life of caregivers of older adults of the La Conchita Popular Council, belonging to the Hermanos Cruz Polyclinic, Pinar del Río, period 2021-2023. Methods: An observational, analytical and cross-sectional study was carried out. The universe was represented by 250 caregivers of older adults with some degree of functional dependence, the sample by 50 caregivers of functionally dependent older adults, selected intentionally, and who meet the inclusion criteria, theoretical and empirical methods were used, a validated questionnaire was used to respond to the variables and objectives of the research and descriptive statistics. Results: ages 60 to 69 years predominated representing 36 %, the main factor affecting caregivers is the emotional, since no one is prepared to live day to day witnessing the physical, emotional and cognitive deterioration of their loved one, the greater the caregiver overload the lower the quality of life in all dimensions. Conclusions: It was concluded that the level of overload and the quality of life of caregivers of older adults in the studied area are opposite, it will be necessary to improve the caregivers' overload so that their quality of life is higher and their performance is better