An explanatory study about the quality of life of spouse and non-spouse carers of older people.

Abstract

Increase in life expectancy has resulted in a high proportion of elderly people in the population who require informal care. Changes in government health care policy in Malta have shifted attention from institutional to community-based care. The transudation to community-based care has increased the awareness of the extent and importance of family caregiving in the maintenance of the individual at home, who otherwise would be institutionalized. Family carers are a major source of help and assistance to the person they provide care for. They are also major contributors to the welfare system, balancing the national health care expenditure (Simon 2001). The aim of this study was to explore the care giving experience of spouse and non- spouse carers and to compare their quality of life. Therefore, the carers' physical and emotional health, financial situation and social life were explored. A Non- random sample of 20 co-resident carers composed of 10 spouses (5 males and 5 females) and 10 daughters was taken. The study findings revealed that carers reported overwhelming feelings by the numerous tasks involved in caregiving. The spouse carer subgroup confirmed that they suffered physical strain due to tasks such as lifting, bathing and toileting, while on the other hand the daughter carers experienced a poorer general physical health. In addition the carers' emotional health was influenced both positively and negatively. Both groups identified positive aspects such as reward and bonding. Nonetheless, the majority of study participants also experienced upset feeling at seeing the older person getting increasingly dependent. The carer's perception of his /her social life was associated with their relationship to the older person, with spouses stating that their social life was more negatively affected than daughter carers. Financial hardships related to the caregiving role were more pronounced in spouse carers. However, a number of participants admitted that they had to renounce some voluntary activities, to be able to fulfil the caring role.