Spousal caregivers' burden: impact of care recipient health problems and mental status

1. Caregiver burden is a three-dimensional concept. It reflects the impact of caregiving on interpersonal relationships; expressions of caregiver anxiety; and the personal impact of the caregiver role. 2. In the study presented, mental impairment had the most significant negative impact on caregiver burden overall, as well as on each of the three components of burden--regardless of an impaired elder's physical problems. 3. Nursing strategies to improve the care of frail elders and their caregivers include the development and implementation of a sensitive discharge assessment and plan; articulation between the hospital-based and community-based nurses; and assessment of the caregiver-care receiver dyad.