Overload in primary caregivers of patients with permanent dependency in the outpatient setting

Objective: to identify the amount of overload of the main caregivers of patients with permanent dependency in the outpatient setting. Methodology: descriptive, cross-sectional study. A convenience sampling was used, for a total of 50 caregivers. The Zarit Caregiver Overload Scale was applied, which has been validated at the international level. The scale explored the negative effects on the caregiver in the areas of physical health, mental health, social life, economic resources, and time. The final score represented the degree of caregiver overload; the program Epi info v.3.5.4 was used. Results: 75% of the caregivers were women, 36% were the children of the patients, 34% had elementary schooling, and 52% were unemployed. The median age of the caregiver was 46 years; 54% were married, 50% belonged to socioeconomic stratum three. 54% had spent over 24 months caring for the patient, 70% cared for the patient at least 10 hours per day, and 66% had the support of other people. 56% had no overload, 34% showed a slight overload, and 10% presented intense overload. Health was sometimes affected in 36% of cases, social relations were often affected in 40% of caregivers, and 52% sometimes did not have enough money. Conclusions: Most caregivers of patients with permanent dependence did not present overload and were aided by others in patient care. Most of the caregivers were women; most were also unemployed and presented health ailments and economic difficulties in the care of the patient.