Nivel de sobrecarga y factores asociados de los cuidadores primarios de los/as pacientes del centro de atención ambulatoria 302 del Instituto Ecuatoriano de Seguridad Social, Cuenca Ecuador, 2014

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Identify the overload level and associated factors in senior home care of patients at the 302 Ambulatory Care Center of the IESS.

METHODOLOGY: A quantitative cross-sectional study, with the universe of 222 primary caregivers of older adults monitored at the 302 Ambulatory Care Center of the Ecuadorian Social Security Institute in Cuenca Ecuador. Data were obtained from an assessment that includes a social demographic section, variables of study, Katz Index and Zarit Overload Scale. The information was tabulated and analyzed to obtain the results.

RESULTS: Average care-giver is 53 years old, mostly female, marital status married 52%, approximately 60% are daughters or sons, and 11% are spouses of the elderly. Most of them take care for 12 or more hours in the day, 7 days per week and at least five years. It was observed that 26% of older adults has moderate dependence and that 38% of them have a severe dependence. According to Zarit test 18.7% of caregivers have a minimum overload and that 14% have a greater overload.

CONCLUSIONS: 18.7% of primary care-givers have a light overload and 14% perceive a severe overload.