An analysis of factors that impact the perceptions of strain, burden, and quality of life among primary caregivers of impaired, elderly family members

This study examined the perceptions of strain, burden, and quality of life (QOL) among diverse caregiver groups who were providing community care to an impaired, elderly adult and the factors that impacted these perceptions. Identifying factors is critical for adequate policy development and effective interventions that assist diverse groups of caregivers in giving care to impaired elderly adults; provide support and assistance in areas that cause the most strain and burden; improve the quality of life of the caregivers; and prevent an increase in long term care institutionalization (Mui, 1992).;Participants were unpaid, informal caregivers who were providing care for an impaired, elderly adult residing in the community and randomly selected for voluntary participation from the computer data base of Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging (WRAAA).;Study data was collected using a five section self-completed survey, analyzed using multivariate analysis. A total of 240 surveys were received from caregivers of the impaired elderly adults receiving services from WRAAA. Survey results demonstrated that a caregiver's perception of financial hardship, self-perceived health status, caregiver age, use of formal services and caregiver/care-recipient relationship had the greatest effect on the caregiver's perceptions of burden, strain, and quality of life (QOL).