Caregiver Burden is Reduced by Personalized Social Support for Non-Dependent Old Persons: a Longitudinal Study of 876 Old Persons and Their Caregivers

Abstract Background . Informal care provided by family caregivers to old persons is associated with a high risk of burden and poor health status. This study aimed to analyze the impact of Personalized Social Support (PSS) for non-dependent old persons living in the community on caregiver burden, satisfaction, and frailty. Methods . This non-interventional longitudinal study was performed in the southeast of France: old persons asking for PSS (>70 years of age, with no disability and no severe chronic disease, living at home) and their caregivers were included with a 6-month follow-up. Eligible dyads were visited at home by social workers. Caregiver burden was assessed with Mini-Zarit and frailty status with FiND (Frail Non-Disabled). Results . 876 dyads were eligible for PSS. Old persons were 82.2 ± 5.8 years old and 77.6% were women. Most caregivers were women (64.5%). Most caregivers were the children of the old person (61%), the rest were mostly spouses. Nearly 64% of old persons were frail and 38% were highly dependent. Follow-up was conducted for 686 dyads (78.3%). Of these, only 569 had PSS. The PSS was mainly for housework and meal preparation. At the time of follow-up, 53% of the caregivers for whom the old person had PSS had less difficulty helping their old person. Two-thirds (61.5%) of caregivers were fully satisfied with the PSS. Whether or not they had received the PSS, 73% of caregivers had reduced burden at 6 months, only 6% still had a high burden, 17% were less frail, and 18% felt healthier than at the time of inclusion. Conclusions . Our study highlights that non-dependent old person’s caregivers also experience burden. Implementing social support for activities of daily living had a major impact on their burden but not on their level of frailty. This means that the determinants of caregiver frailty are more complex and further studies are needed.