Care Burden and Life Satisfaction of Caregivers Who are Providing Home Health Care to Patients

BACKGROUND: This study aims to evaluate the care burden and life satisfaction in caregivers who are providing home health care to patients and determine the relationship between life satisfaction and care burden. METHODS: This cross-sectional descriptive study was performed on 133 caregivers who provided home health care to patients and 133 control groups between February and December 2020. Care burden was evaluated using the Zarit Burden Inventory (ZBI), and life satisfaction was evaluated using the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). RESULTS: The mean age of hundred thirty-three caregivers was 52.5±10.5 years, and that of the control group was 51.2±9.9 years. The mean ZBI score of the caregivers was 47.0±16.4. According to the ZBI score, 46.6% of the caregivers had a moderate care burden and 21.8% had a heavy caregiver burden. The caregiver burden was higher in those with a low education level, those without social insurance, those who felt insufficient in care, and those who did not receive help from other family members. The SWLS score of caregivers was significantly lower than that of control group (p<0.001). The SWLS score was lower in those with a low education level and those without an employee as a caregiver. There was a negative correlation between SWLS and ZBI score (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Caregivers of patients receiving home health-care services are exposed to a significant care burden. The care burden was higher in those with a low education level, those without social insurance, those who felt insufficient in care, and those who did not receive help from other family members. The care burden affects the satisfaction of life.