Caregiving demands: their difficulty and effects on the well-being of elderly caregivers

Nurses assess situations involving elderly caregivers, yet data conflict on how caregivers perceive caregiving demands. To develop appropriate research-based interventions, more data are needed on specific aspects of these demands. Discussed are data from interviews with 60 elderly caregivers regarding tasks and personal demands. Results suggest that personal demands are perceived as more difficult than task demands and are associated to a greater extent with caregiver life satisfaction and depression. Issues are raised, however, regarding the measurement of expressed difficulty. Findings also support the adaptive capacity of these caregivers and their commitment to the caregiving role. Implications for nursing practice and nursing science are discussed.