Coping with the burden of informal care for older adults in the family

Informal care for geriatric patients is an important part of home healthcare, with caregivers facing many challenges that affect their daily lives. The aim of the study was to analyze the burden of informal caregivers who provide long-term care to chronically ill seniors in a home environment. The survey was conducted using a quantitative, cross-sectional descriptive method with a standardized Caregiver Burden Inventory questionnaire. The sample consisted of 58 caregivers from municipalities associated with the Regional Association of Towns and Municipalities of Rudohoria in eastern Slovakia. The findings pointed to the high time demands of caregiving and its negative impact on the emotional and physical health of caregivers, as well as on their social relationships. Informal caregivers face a significant burden that requires targeted support measures to improve the quality of life of both caregivers and the seniors they care for.