ANALYSIS OF PROBLEMS AND THEIR DETERMINANTS AMONG FAMILY CAREGIVERS TAKING CARE OF CHRONICALLY ILL PEOPLE

Abstract

Introduction. All over the world, family caregivers constitute the main pillar of the state care system. Nevertheless, they usually do not receive the sufficient institutional support. Therefore, an attempt has been made in order to identify the most frequently appearing problems among the caregivers and to define factors which influence their behaviour.

Materials and methods. The research was conducted among 300 caregivers who take care of the chronically ill family members in domestic conditions. The research was conducted with the use of the diagnostic poll. In order to collect data, four following diagnostic tools were used: the modified Bartel's Scale, the Caregiver's Strain Index, Beck's Depression Scale and the author's questionnaire.

Results. Despite of the high self-evaluation in preparation of the caregivers, most of them pointed out numerous problems concerning the daily care of the chronically ill people. The respondents most frequently pointed out the following: the difficulties with moving the ill person (55.7%), lack of time (50.0%), difficulties with hygienic activities (49.3%) and difficulties with obtaining financial support (38.7%). Majority of the caregivers (69.3%) suffered from a great level of strain, while 43.7% diagnosed themselves with a gentle stage of depression. Occurrence of strain and depression and their intensity was strictly connected with the deficit level of ward's self-service, intensity of care and the level of caregiver's preparation. Functioning of the institutions responsible for supporting the chronically ill people and their families was assessed negatively by most of the caregivers (76%).

Conclusions. Family caregivers of the chronically ill people pointed out a number of problems connected with daily care. They have also revealed a significant level of strain. The difficult situation of caregivers is affected by numerous factors, one of which is lack of the interdisciplinary support in fulfilling the caring function. For this reason, there is an urgent necessity of change in the current state care system, which would enable effective care-taking in domestic conditions.