Evaluating a programme for strengthening family-caregivers' ability to care for the chronically ill

The study evaluated the effectiveness of the "Caring for the caregivers" programme which was designed to strength family caregivers' ability to care for people suffering from chronic disease. The study used a quasi-experimental design, having study and control groups, and measured caring ability before and after the intervention. 250 family caregivers were included in the study. The results included a description of the caregiver groups in terms of gender, age, family relationship, caring time and care receiver's dependence level. They also included initial and final levels regarding caring ability in each group, as well as comparing them to each other. Similarities were found in gender and responsibility for caring for younger people; differences were found in the service of origin, care-receiver functionality, accumulated experience and age. Caring ability was homogeneous in groups before the intervention but different in total level and patience following the programme. The findings agreed with the literature in terms of gender distribution, age, home assistance and caregivers' low levels of ability in terms of taking care of a family member suffering from chronic disease. The results suggested that the "Caring for the caregivers" programme has helped to increase caregivers' caring abilities and in doing so provided an option regarding the chronically ill which must be further explored within a Latin-American setting.