Caregivers of Older Persons in Jamaica: Characteristics, Burden, and Associated Factors. (July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: James, Kenneth; Thompson, Camelia; Holder-Nevins, Desmalee; Willie-Tyndale, Douladel; McKoy-Davis, Julian; Eldemire-Shearer, Denise
• Other Names: Ornstein Katherine guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Journal of applied gerontology. Volume 40:Number 7(2021)
• Page Start: 713
• Page End: 721
• Publication Date: 2021-07
• Subjects: caregiving -- risk factors -- home care -- caregiver burden -- Zarit Burden Interview -- older persons; Gerontology -- Periodicals; 362.6
• DOI: 10.1177/0733464819898315
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0733-4648

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine and characterize caregiver burden among caregivers of community-dwelling older persons in Jamaica. Method: A nationally representative cross-sectional study was done among persons providing noninstitutional care for a single person (≥60 years). The Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) and a structured questionnaire were administered to 180 caregivers from four geographic health regions. Results: The ZBI scores ranged from 0 to 56 (median = 15). Independently associated factors were relationship to care recipient and age. Children/grandchildren had higher caregiver burden scores than formally employed caregivers (odds ratio = 2.9: 95% confidence interval: [1.02, 8.34]). Compared with caregivers 35 to 44 years, those aged 45 to 65 were almost 5 times more likely to report higher caregiver burden scores. Conclusion: Caregiver burden as identified by the ZBI was low. Age (45–65 years) and being the child/grandchild of the care recipient were independently associated with greater caregiver burden. Interventions to address caregiver burden must embrace strategies that recognize that these factors.