Frailty, depressive symptoms and overload of elderly caregivers in a context of high social vulnerability

Abstract

Objective: to analyze the relationship between frailty, depressive symptoms and overload of elderly caregivers in a context of high social vulnerability. Method: correlational, cross-sectional study, with quantitative approach, carried out with 73 elderly primary caregivers of other elderly people enrolled in Family Health Units inserted in contexts of high social vulnerability of a city in the interior of São Paulo (Brazil). The data were collected through an individual interview, using a questionnaire for sociodemographic characterization, the Zarit Overload Inventory, Geriatric Depression Scale and Frailty Assessment, according to the Fried Phenotype. Results: the majority of the elderly caregivers were between 60 and 69 years old; they were female and had one to four years of schooling. Regarding the frailty, 37% were frail, 54.8% pre-frail and 8.2% non-frail. The elderly caregivers presented, in the majority, small overload (68.5%) and absence of indications of depressive symptoms (67.1%). There was a positive correlation and moderate magnitude (r=0.460, p=0.000) between frailty and depressive symptoms, that is, as the levels of frailty increase, the depressive symptoms become more prevalent. Conclusion: there was a correlation between frailty and depressive symptoms. Therefore, it is necessary to approach the health professionals in order to identify early the frailty and depressive symptoms of elderly caregivers in order to avoid late interventions. Special attention should be given to caregivers inserted in contexts of high social vulnerability.