caregiver stress (caregiver burden, caregiver burnout)

Etiology

• inadequate daily help with tasks (primary factor)
• no association with
  • duration of disability
  • degree of disability,
  • socioeconomic status
• caregiver risk factors
  • female sex
  • low educational attainment
  • residence with the care recipient
  • higher number of hours spent caregiving
  • depression
  • social isolation
  • financial stress
  • lack of choice in being a caregiver
  • white caregivers at greater risk than black caregivers
• patient risk factors
  • agitation
  • aggression
  • irritability
  • hallucinations
  • movement disorder

Epidemiology

• caregivers of patients with dementia

Pathology

• impaired immunity
• higher incidence of:
  • depression (50%)
  • acute illness (especially respiratory tract)
  • anxiety

Laboratory

• diminished titers in influenza vaccine
• increased serum IL-6

Complications

• increased mortality among stressed caregivers
• caregiver support will likely have little effect on the course of a patient's illness

Management

• respite care
• caregiver support group
• cognitive behavioral therapy

More general terms

• psychosocial stress

Additional terms

• caregiver
• respite care
• Zarit burden scale