Exploring Family Caregiver Burden Using the Ecological Model: Insights From Thailand's Older Population.

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the burden of caregiving and identify factors predicting caregiver burden among family caregivers of community-dwelling older adults. Family caregivers of older adults face significant challenges in their caregiving responsibilities. Although some studies have examined factors related to caregiver burden among these caregivers, they are often limited in scope and frequently lack comprehensive theoretical frameworks and large population-based samples. This study conducted a secondary data analysis using the 7th Thailand National Survey of Older Persons from 2021. The analysis focused on 3192 dyads of older adults and their primary family caregivers. Primary family caregivers in this study generally experienced a mild burden. Higher caregiver burden was associated with leaving the workforce, being in an extended family, the older adult having poorer health, higher ADL dependency, age under 90 years, and poor hearing ability, and lack of community health worker visits. Addressing these findings can enhance nursing practices and health policies, providing more effective support to family caregivers and improving the well-being of both caregivers and older adults.