Caregiver burden: An increasing problem related to an aging cancer population. (September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jansen, Leontien; Dauphin, Stephanie; De Burghgraeve, Tine; Schoenmakers, Birgitte; Buntinx, Frank; van den Akker, Marjan
• Is Part Of: Journal of health psychology. Volume 26:Number 11(2021)
• Page Start: 1833
• Page End: 1849
• Publication Date: 2021-09
• Subjects: cancer -- family -- older person -- risk factors -- well-being; Clinical health psychology -- Periodicals; 613.019
• DOI: 10.1177/1359105319893019
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-1053

Abstract

This prospective cohort study identified risk factors for the development of caregiver burden and included older cancer survivors, middle-aged cancer survivors, older patients without cancer and their caregivers. Overall, more than 16 per cent of caregivers experienced high-to-severe burden at baseline. This proportion remained stable after 1 and 3 years. Caregivers who experienced increased caregiver burden at baseline were at higher risk maintaining their caregiver burden over the following years. Caregiver burden was not related to the cancer diagnosis but rather to the baseline psychosocial well-being of both the caregiver and patient and the physical condition of the patient.