Factors associated with the quality of life of family caregivers of elderly people

Abstract

Objective: To identify factors associated with the quality of life of family caregivers of elderly people living at home. Material and method: Cross-sectional and census study carried out with 71 caregivers of elderly residents in an inland city of the state of Bahia, Brazil. Data were collected using the Katz instruments for the assessment of functional independence, socio-demographic and health survey, Zarit overload scale and WHOQOL-BREF to measure quality of life. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis, correlation and multiple linear regression were applied. Results: Most of the sample corresponded to middle-aged or elderly female caregivers with reduced individual monthly income, affected by disease and responsible for dependent elderly people. Among the factors associated with quality of life of these people are age, income and caregiver overload; the degree of dependence and gender of the elderly person, as well as the number of people residing in the same household. Conclusion: The factors that had a bigger impact on the caregiver’s quality of life were overload and the degree of dependence of the elderly person. Strategies to strengthen social support and guidance on elderly care are essential and can help reduce overload and improve caregiver’s quality of life.