Autor(es): Henriques, MA ; Loura, DS ; Nogueira, P ; Melo, G ; Gomes, I ; Ferraz, I ; Viegas, L ; Costa, A
Data: 2022
Identificador Persistente: http://hdl.handle.net/10400.17/4347
Origem: Repositório do Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central, EPE
Assunto(s): Informal caregivers; Nursing; Survey; Health profile; Community; HDE PED
The increasing overload of chronic conditions raises challenges for the health system. Informal caregivers have a major role in ensuring the quality of life of the cared-for person, despite the reported lack of working resources which can lead to unmet needs. This article reports on the first part of a nurse-led research project entitled “Informal caregiver’ profiles in Lisbon county: a health community approach.’ We aimed to support decision-making by developing an informal caregiver profile to promote tailored interventions. A survey addressing the dyad was developed and submitted to a convenient, network-based, stratified sample of carers aged 18 years or above. More than thirty community partners supported the identification of caregivers. Data were submitted to univariate descriptive analysis. A profile of the cared-for person and the informal caregiver was uncovered by identifying 639 caregivers, of whom the majority lived with the cared-for person. Only four percent planned the transition to a caregiver role, and no more than 10% had access to support programs. Approximately half of the respondents found that COVID-19 negatively impacted their performance in the caregiver role. Developing a local and tailored strategy with collaboration between healthcare professionals, academics, and community partners is key to ensuring that meaningful support is provided to caregivers.
