A STUDY ON CAREGIVER STRESS AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG INFORMAL CAREGIVERS OF ELDERLY PEOPLE

Introduction: Demographic trends have shown an increase in geriatric population. On growing older, they will become dependent on family or informal caregivers. Caregiver stress is experienced when chronic life strains and coping mechanisms challenge the capacity of an informal caregiver. Objective: The study is aimed to assess the caregiver stress and associated factors among informal caregivers. Methodology: The study was conducted among 180 subjects in Padianallur area. Multistage sampling method was done. Study tool comprised of questionnaire on Sociodemographic details, co-morbid conditions, Barthel index and caregiver stress scale. Statistics: Data were exported to SPSS version 16 and analysed. Results: Female Caregivers accompanying the elderly patients were highly stressed than males (48%, 29%, p=0.037). Caregivers in the age group of 60 years and above were experiencing high level of stress (61.1%, p=0.001). Caregivers of care recipients aged 70 years and above were highly stressed (62%, p=0.002). Care providers with co – morbid conditions were suffering high level of stress (60.2%, p< 0.001). Caregivers of severely to total dependent recipients were highly stressed (75%, p = 0.001). Conclusion: Well-being of care recipients depends upon the well-being of caregivers. The role of non-communicable Diseases (NCD) clinics should be widened to provide health care services like screening and counselling amenities for caregivers. NCD clinics should educate caregivers about the basic elements of geriatric care that can be rendered at the domiciliary level. Arrangement of Day care centres will lessen the burden laid on caregivers.