Overload in the dependent care agent and its relation to the elder adult functional dependency

Abstract

Objective: To identify the relationship between the subjective overload level of the dependent care agent and the functional dependency level of the elder adult suffering from chronic degenerative illnesses at the Silao General Hospital in Guanajuato, Mexico.

Methods: A descriptive, correlational, transversal and basic study design was used. Sampling was by convenience, and included 90 elder adults and 90 dependent care agents. The social and demographic profile was described. The Barthel index was used to assess the level of dependence of the elder adult, while the Zarit interview was used to assess the subjective overload of the dependent care agent.

Results: The elder adult average age was 70.9 ±10; and after using the Barthel index, 41.1% showed dependency in their daily life. The profile of the dependent care agent corresponded to that of a middle aged woman (53.8 ±5.2), married (88.9%), housewife (73.3%), and daughter of the elder (48.9%). From the Zarit interview, it was found that 85.6% were dependent care agents without overload. In order to verify if a correlation existed between the variables subjective overload and functional de - pendency, the Spearman correlation rho was calculated, and turned out to be -0.46, p<.05.

Discussion: Orem inferred that in situations where healthcare is required, the dependent care agent overload is related to the functional dependency of the elder adult.

Conclusions: The lower the grade of dependence of the elder adult, the lower the subjective overload of the dependent care agent.