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Caregiver Reward and Burden: Differing Constructs in Family Members Providing Care for Medically Ill Homebound Older Adults

Objective: This study examined the relationship between caregiver burden and reward and how each relates to factors, such as depression, within the caregiving dyad.; Method: A total of 101 older adults and their primary family caregivers were recruited upon enrolling in home health care services. Patients were assessed for sociodemographic information, depression, disability, pain, and caregiver support at baseline and at 8 weeks. Caregivers were assessed at baseline for sociodemographic information, depression, caregiver burden, caregiver reward, and caregiving tasks they provide.; Results: Burden and reward were significantly inversely correlated, but differentially associated with distinct patient and caregiver variables. Patients whose caregivers reported higher baseline levels of caregiver reward were more likely to have lower depression scores at follow-up.; Discussion: Given that different aspects of patients and caregivers influence reward and burden, assessing caregivers for both burden and reward may better target caregiver interventions at the individual and family levels, particularly for older adult depression.

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Key Information

Type of Reference
Jour
Type of Work
Journal article
Publisher
Sage Publications
ISBN/ISSN
1552-6887
Publication Year
2020
Issue Number
5-6
Journal Titles
Journal Of Aging And Health
Volume Number
32
Start Page
361
End Page
370