Apoyo social percibido de personas mayores de 60 años que cuidan de sus nietos

Objective

The role of older people in today's society is important in supporting work-life balance and well-being. The aim of the study was to analyze the perception of the support they receive and the psychosocial well-being of people over 60 years of age who take care of their grandchildren.

Methodology

Cross-sectional descriptive observational study. A sample of people over 60 years of age, who attended the pediatrics service in three health centers accompanying their grandchildren, during the first four-month period of 2018. They were administered the Duke-UNC questionnaire, with measures of social support and involvement in the care of their grandchildren.

Results

The majority cared for their grandchildren between 5 and 14 hours per week, performing recreational and maintenance activities. The participants reported a significant relationship of the caregiver's role in their quality of life and well-being; 88% of the subjects perceived a high level of social support. Involvement in weekly caregiving hours did not correlate with worse perceived support.

Conclusions

Older adults who care for their grandchildren and attend the primary care pediatrics service with them perceive an adequate level of social support, regardless of the number of hours spent doing so.