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Caregiver burden should be evaluated during geriatric assessment
L J Brown1, J F Potter, B G Foster
1Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha 68198-5620.
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
|April 1, 1990
Summary
Caregiver burden significantly predicts the need for long-term care services in older adults. Evaluating caregiver burden during geriatric assessment is crucial for predicting service use and placement decisions.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Geriatric Medicine
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Caregiver burden is a significant factor in long-term care decisions.
- Comprehensive geriatric assessment aims to optimize care for older adults.
- Predicting the use of formal services is essential for effective healthcare planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between caregiver burden and the utilization of long-term care services.
- To identify predictors of service use following a comprehensive geriatric assessment.
- To determine if caregiver burden improves the prediction of service use beyond clinical factors.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 109 older subjects underwent geriatric assessment.
- Caregiver burden was assessed using a validated questionnaire.
- Logistic regression analysis was employed to identify predictors of service use at 12 months.
Main Results:
- Activities of daily living predicted service use.
- Caregiver burden emerged as a significant independent predictor of service use, improving overall prediction.
- Caregiver burden predicted both home service use and nursing home placement.
Conclusions:
- Caregiver burden is a primary determinant of formal service utilization in older adults.
- Integrating caregiver burden assessment into geriatric evaluations is recommended.
- Burden reduction was observed over time, particularly after nursing home placement.