LAUSR

OBJECTIVE To determine the areas of the life of primary caregivers (CP) that may be affected by caring for a patient, as well as the CP variables: health, occupational, economic and social problems, as well as the role that CP overload can play. MATERIAL AND METHODS A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 167 dependent chronic patients and their CPs. It included and analysis on the impact of caring about health, occupational, and economic problems, as well as maintaining social relationships in CP. A record was made of, demographic variables, age and gender, care, activities, time to care. For the dependent patients, the psychosocial typology of their disease, chronology, dependence, disability, and immobility was studied. The Zarit scale reduced by 8 items has been used for the study of the overload of CPs. RESULTS More than two-thirds (68.8%) of CPs had health problems, 20.9% economic, 19.6% occupational, and 50.9% for positive family and social relationships. The health impact of CPs is related to psychosocial A typology, an increased level of dependence and immobility, gender, and greater number of care activities. The impact on work activities is related to age (66 years) gender, and home coexistence. The impact on social relationships is only related to kinship. Economic problems have no relationship to patient variables. The overload of CPs is related to health, work, financial, and social problems CONCLUSIONS: The health, financial, occupational, and social impact of CPs relate to variables of the sick person and CP, and especially to the overload perceived by the CPs.