Factors Related to the Need for Informal Care Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Chile

J Gerontol Nurs. 2024 Feb;50(2):43-52. doi: 10.3928/00989134-20240111-01. Epub 2024 Feb 1.

Abstract

Purpose: To identify factors contributing to the need for informal care among community-dwelling older adults with functional impairment in Chile.

Method: A secondary data analysis was conducted using cross-sectional data from 540 Chilean older adults aged ≥60 years (mean age = 72.2 years, SD = 6.22 years).

Results: Informal care need was reported by 24.3% (n = 131) of participants. Among the variables that most influenced the need for informal care among older adults were hospitalization in the past 1 year, functionality, comorbidities, and multidimensional frailty (all p < 0.05).

Conclusion: This study identified factors that clinicians and nurses should be aware of when caring for this population to prevent or manage the need for informal care. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 50(2), 43-52.].

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Caregivers*
  • Chile
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Frail Elderly
  • Hospitalization
  • Humans
  • Independent Living*