Browsing by Author "Xavier Filgueira, Veruscka"

Caregiving is defined as a multifaceted practice, dependent on cultural determinants; and informal caregiving is described as a widespread practice in Europe and Finland. The new demographic trends in the developed countries motivate governments to think about the conciliation between caregiving and work. Caregiver burden is then discussed as the costs of caregiving for those who provide it and variables that have been suggested to influence caregivers well-being are also examined. The purpose of the present study was to delineate a profile of the working caregivers in Finland, evaluate their burden and explore which factors influence burden, with an emphasis on the aspects associated with its reduction. To respond to those topics, data from an online survey collected in 2014 from Finnish caregivers was analysed, providing information on a variety of issues relevant to caregiving and its interaction with work. Burden was measured by the shortened ZBI. Independent samples t-test and one way ANOVA were used to test for differences between various segments of the sample and multiple linear regressions were run to evaluate the predictors of burden reduction. Out of 466 active caregivers, the majority were salaried workers. Among those working caregivers, most were middle-aged, well-educated, white collar, female workers who attend to their impaired children or parents. They often face losses at their workplaces due to caregiving. External care services were used sparingly. The study found significant relationship between caregiver burden and perceived stress, perceived health status, losses at work and retirement timing intentions. Also, reduction of financial strain, willingness to care, perceived health status and satisfaction with work-care arrangements were substantial predictors of burden scores decrease. Caregiving is more than care for the elderly, as shown by the number of caregivers assisting their children. Often working caregivers have to compromise their career development and family incomes due to care duties. Caregivers health and motivation are as important as providing caregivers with effective support at work for their care responsibilities.