Factors related to reducing the care burden during home-based rehabilitation after discharge from a comprehensive rehabilitation unit: A multi-center study

Abstract

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate factors related to reducing the caregiver burden in activities of daily living when starting home-based rehabilitation after discharge from a comprehensive rehabilitation unit. [Participants and Methods] The subjects were 17 users. We investigated the correlations among the scores of the Zarit Burden Interview (J-ZBI_8), the change of J-ZBI_8, and other variables on the first, 30th, and 180th day after starting home-based rehabilitation. [Results] The amount of change in J-ZBI_8 on the 30th day showed significant negative correlations with visiting times, degree of relationship between the cared subject and primary caregivers, frequency of family education, and quality of cooperation with care manager. The amount of change in J-ZBI_8 at the end of follow-up showed significant negative correlations with average frequency and average quality of family education. [Conclusion] In the short term after home discharge, intensive and frequent family education, active inter-professional cooperation, and support for building a good relationship between the cared subject and primary caregivers are important for reducing the care burden in home-based rehabilitation. In the medium to long term, a better educational approach to caregivers is important.