Hip fracture: Family caregivers' burden and related factors for older people in Taiwan

Pi-Chu Lin, Chang Ming Lu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

50 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Aims. The purpose of this study was to explore the burden experienced by caregivers during the transition from hospital to home. Background. With a growing older population, home-based care has gradually gained more recognition. Most older people with hip fracture in Taiwan have to be discharged at a relatively early stage. Therefore, the caregiving tasks falls on the families. Methods. A total of 98 older people with hip fracture and their caregivers were interviewed. The sample was selected from three medical centres in Taipei, and questionnaires were collected at one week and one month following hospital discharge. Results. (i) Family caregivers were usually women (63.3%) with spouses being the primary caregivers in most cases (30.6%). About one-third of caregivers took care of other family members on top of their responsibilities caring for the sick elders at home, and 77.6% shared the care tasks with others. (ii) The caregivers experienced moderate burdens. About 91.8% of caregivers reported 'I feel sad watching the elder's health deteriorating', 84.9% reported 'I must keep an eye on the elder constantly' and 56.7% reported 'Taking care of the sick elder at home makes me feel exhausted'. (iii) Caregiver burden and the functional level of older people were adversely correlated. (iv) Caregivers who were unable to access other resources for help and/or had provided care to the older person prior to the fracture resulting in hospitalization experienced a higher burden. Conclusions. These findings should be helpful in the formulation of evidence-based discharge planning and home health care services. Relevance to clinical practice. Comprehensive discharge planning and developing social support systems for family caregivers to reduce caregivers burden are needed.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)719-726
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Clinical Nursing
Volume14
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2005
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Caregiver burden
  • Elders
  • Hip fracture
  • Nurses
  • Nursing

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Nursing

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