Vaccine uptake in caregivers family members and patients with dementia and relationship with severity of dementia and caregiver burden: a cross-sectional study.

We cross sectionally evaluated COVID-19 and seasonal flu vaccination rates among 94 dyads consisting of informal caregiver family member and non-institutionalized patient with dementia observed in family-medicine practice in Zagreb, Croatia. COVID-19 vaccination rates in caregivers (78.7%) and patients with dementia (82.9%) were significantly higher than in general population. Caregiver and patient COVID-19 vaccination status (CVS) did not correlate. Among caregivers, seasonal flu vaccination (P = 0.004) but no other investigated factors related to caregiving or dementia severity showed significant association with CVS. Among patients with dementia, CVS was significantly associated with lower number of caregiver hours dedicated per week (P = 0.017), higher caregiver SF-36 role emotional HRQoL (P = 0.017), younger patient age (P = 0.027), higher MMSE (P = 0.030), higher Barthel index (P = 0.006), absence of neuropsychiatric symptoms of agitation and aggression (P = 0.031), lower overall caregiver burden (P = 0.034), lower burden of personal strain (P = 0.023) and lower burden of frustration (P = 0.016). Caregiving and severity of dementia-related factors significantly affect patient, but not caregiver CVS.

Informal care burden during the COVID-19 pandemic in Flanders, Belgium: The role of perceived threat, personality and resilience.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we investigate how socio-demographic characteristics (age, gender and education) and informal care relationship characteristics (e.g., time spent on care, number of informal caregivers, professional care) are linked with informal care burden during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, we expect this burden to differ by personality characteristics, degree of resilience, and-in this specific context-perceived the COVID-19 threat. METHOD: We used the fifth wave of a longitudinal study to identify 258 informal caregivers. These online survey data came from a five-wave longitudinal study in Flanders, Belgium that ran from April 2020 to April 2021. Data were representative of the adult population by age and gender. Analyses include t-tests, ANOVA, SEM and binomial logistic regression. RESULTS: We found that the informal care burden was strongly linked with a socio-economic gradient, time investment changes in care since the start of the pandemic, and whether there was more than one informal caregiver. Personality traits such as agreeableness and openness to experience, and the perceived threat of COVID-19 were also related to care burden. CONCLUSIONS: During the pandemic, informal caregivers were put under extra considerable pressure: restrictive government measures sometimes led to the temporary suspension of some or all professional care for persons with care needs, which may have resulted in a growing psychosocial burden. We recommend that, in the future, the focus should be on supporting the mental wellbeing and social participation of caregivers along with measures to protect caregivers and their relatives from COVID-19. Support structures for informal caregivers should be kept running during crises now and in the future, but it is also important to adopt a case-by-case basis to consider support for informal caregivers.

Applying dyadic digital psychological interventions for reducing caregiver burden in the illness context: a systematic review and a meta-analysis protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Providing informal care to one's romantic partner who is ill may become a highly distressing and demanding task. Based on the innovative dyadic coping model, several support interventions have been developed to alleviate informal caregivers' burden, including both caregivers' and care receivers' needs. Considering the unique challenges characterising the caregiving phenomenon, such as geographical barriers and time restrictions, digital solutions should be considered. However, there is a lack of research examining the effectiveness of dyadic digital solutions. Thus, this review aims to examine the existing literature on the efficacy of dyadic digital psychological interventions designed for caregivers and their care-receivers couples within the illness context. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Randomised controlled trials targeting caregivers' burden among dyads of informal caregivers and care receivers will be identified via an electronic search of the following databases: PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Cinhal, Scopus, PsycINFO, MEDLINE and supplemented by hand searching of previous systematic reviews. The search will be undertaken following the PICO (population, intervention, comparison and outcome) elements. If possible, a meta-analysis will be conducted to examine: (1) the effectiveness of dyadic digital psychological interventions for reducing caregivers' burden (primary outcome) among caregivers who are in a romantic relationship with the care receivers; (2) the effectiveness of dyadic digital psychological interventions on secondary outcomes such as anxiety, depression, stress, quality of life, well-being and self-efficacy among caregivers and care receivers; and (3) moderating effects of clinical and methodological factors on caregivers' burden. Prior to inclusion in the review, retrieved papers will be critically appraised by two independent reviewers. The Cochrane Risk of Bias tool will assess the risk of bias for randomised controlled trials. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval is not required as no primary data will be collected. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, presentations at academic conferences and lay summaries for various stakeholders. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42022299125.

The association of care burden with motivation of vaccine acceptance among caregivers of stroke patients during the COVID-19 pandemic: mediating roles of problematic social media use, worry, and fear.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between care burden and motivation of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among caregivers of patients who have experienced a stroke and to explore the mediating roles of social media use, fear of COVID-19, and worries about infection in this relationship. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey study with 172 caregivers of patients who had experienced a stroke took part in a Taiwan community hospital. All participants completed the Zarit Burden Interview, Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale, Worry of Infection Scale, Fear of COVID-19 Scale, and Motors of COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance Scale. Multiple linear regression model was applied to construct and explain the association among the variables. Hayes Process Macro (Models 4 and 6) was used to explain the mediation effects. RESULTS: The proposed model significantly explained the direct association of care burden with motivation of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. Despite the increased care burden associated with decreased vaccine acceptance, problematic social media use positively mediated this association. Moreover, problematic social media use had sequential mediating effects together with worry of infection or fear of COVID-19 in the association between care burden and motivation of vaccine acceptance. Care burden was associated with motivation of vaccine acceptance through problematic social media use followed by worry of infection. CONCLUSIONS: Increased care burden among caregivers of patients who have experienced a stroke may lead to lower COVID-19 vaccines acceptance. Moreover, problematic social media use was positively associated with their motivation to get COVID-19 vaccinated. Therefore, health experts and practitioners should actively disseminate accurate and trustworthy factual information regarding COVID-19, while taking care of the psychological problems among caregivers of patients who have experienced a stroke.

Caregiver burden and COVID-19: How epilepsy caregivers experienced the pandemic.

INTRODUCTION: Caregivers of adults with epilepsy face unique challenges, yet most studies focus on the impact of epilepsy on those living with the condition, rather than the impact on caregivers. Our objective was to evaluate whether caregivers' pandemic-related changes and experiences - namely those related to their health, healthcare access, and well-being - were associated with their caregiving burden. METHODS: Caregivers of adults with epilepsy (n = 261) were recruited through Qualtrics Panels to participate in an online survey examining health, well-being, COVID-19 experiences, and caregiver burden from October-December, 2020. The burden was measured using the Zarit 12-item measure; the clinically significant burden was defined as a score greater than 16. Adjustments were made to account for burden scores related to exposures of interest. Chi-square tests, t-tests, and generalized linear regression models were used to compare cross-sectional associations between COVID-19 experiences and burden. RESULTS: Over half (57.9%) of caregivers had clinically significant caregiver burden. Most reported increased anxiety (65%), stress (64%), and sense of social isolation (58%) during the pandemic. Many caregivers reported that their sense of control over their life (44%) and their use of healthcare changed (88%) due to COVID-19. In adjusted models, caregivers who reported increased anger, increased anxiety, decreased sense of control, or changes in healthcare utilization during COVID-19 had about twice the odds of having clinically significant caregiver burden compared to caregivers who did not report changes. DISCUSSION: Changes experienced by caregivers of adults with epilepsy during the pandemic were strongly associated with clinically significant levels of caregiver burden. These findings demonstrate the link between mass-level events, such as a pandemic, the burden caregivers of adults with epilepsy may carry, and subsequent psychological outcomes. CONCLUSION: Caregivers of adults with epilepsy may need support to reduce the negative impact of COVID-19-related experiences and should be connected to healthcare and resources that can help alleviate their burden.

Relationship between Resilience and Caregiver Burden Among Home Caregivers of COVID-19 Patients.

This study examined caregiver burden among home caregivers of COVID-19 patients and its relationship to resilience. This cross-sectional correlational study was conducted in Mashhad, Iran, in 2020. The sample consisted of 220 family caregivers of COVID-19 patients. The data collection tools included: demographic characteristics, Novak and Guest Caregiver Burden Inventory, and Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and correlation test in SPSS v25. The mean score of caregiver burden was 76.85±16.25. In total, 4.5% experienced mild caregiver burden, 31.4% moderate caregiver burden, 50.9% severe caregiver burden, and 13.2% very severe caregiver burden. The mean score of resilience was 62.98±14.06. A significant and inverse relationship was observed between caregiver burden and resilience (p < 0.05, r = -0.46). Family caregivers of COVID-19 patients experienced a significant level of caregiver burden, and it was lower in caregivers with higher levels of resilience. Further studies are recommended in this regard. The use of procedure and training that can improve the resilience of caregivers is recommended to nurses, especially home care nurses.

'24/7' Caregiving: A Qualitative Analysis of an Emerging Phenomenon of Interest in Caregiving.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the difficulties faced by caregivers who have to provide continuous '24/7' care to persons with dementia with minimal formal and informal support. While caregivers have reported heightened levels of caregiving distress and burden during the pandemic, there remains a dearth of research pertaining to their lived experiences of providing continuous care with little respite and the corresponding physical, psychosocial and emotional impacts of caregiving '24/7'. The present study uses data obtained from interviews with dementia caregivers (N = seven) that were collected as part of a larger study on Carer Matters, a hospital-based holistic caregiver support program held during COVID-19, to conduct a secondary thematic analysis. The findings revealed three themes that defined the shared experiences of '24/7' caregivers: (1) A World Overturned, which refers to the increase in caregiving intensity and burden due to the pandemic; (2) Burning on Both Ends, which refers to the impossible balance between caregiving and their personal lives; and (3) At Wits' End, which refers to an overwhelming sense of hopelessness and helplessness over their caregiving situation. These findings highlight the challenges and unsustainability of '24/7' caregiving and the detrimental impact that round-the-clock care wields on caregivers' physical and mental well-being. Implications and recommendations are discussed in accordance with the cultural particularities of the study's Asian context (Singapore), with calls for greater caregiver support to be better integrated into society and the community, especially at the neighborhood and grassroots level, to alleviate caregiving burden and safeguard their well-being.

Caregiving Situation as a Predictor of Subjective Caregiver Burden: Informal Caregivers of Older Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created and exacerbated emotional, financial, and technical challenges for informal caregivers of older people. The aim of this study was to explore the caregiving situation and subjective burden of informal caregivers of older family members during COVID-19, and to investigate how a caregiving situation's characteristics predict the subjective burden of care in times of COVID-19. The study was conducted in April and May 2021 via an online access panel. The sample (n = 612) was determined using a screening test that enabled us to focus on a Slovenian population of informal caregivers aged 40+ caring for a person aged 65+ for at least four hours/week on average. Our findings reveal that the subjective burden of care was high among informal caregivers during COVID-19. Multiple regression analysis showed that the provision of activities of daily living, care duration, average hours of care per week, formal care status, and recipients' health problems related to dementia or other memory problems significantly predicted the subjective burden of caregivers. These findings call for better recognition of the role of informal caregivers. The time and effort devoted to informal care should be supported by legislation and social security.

Post-acute health care burden after SARS-CoV-2 infection: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The post-acute burden of health care use after SARS-CoV-2 infection is unknown. We sought to quantify the post-acute burden of health care use after SARS-CoV-2 infection among community-dwelling adults in Ontario by comparing those with positive and negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test results for SARS-CoV-2 infection. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study involving community-dwelling adults in Ontario who had a PCR test between Jan. 1, 2020, and Mar. 31, 2021. Follow-up began 56 days after PCR testing. We matched people 1:1 on a comprehensive propensity score. We compared per-person-year rates for health care encounters at the mean and 99th percentiles, and compared counts using negative binomial models, stratified by sex. RESULTS: Among 531 702 matched people, mean age was 44 (standard deviation [SD] 17) years and 51% were female. Females who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 had a mean of 1.98 (95% CI 1.63 to 2.29) more health care encounters overall per-person-year than those who had a negative test result, with 0.31 (95% CI 0.05 to 0.56) more home care encounters to 0.81 (95% CI 0.69 to 0.93) more long-term care days. At the 99th percentile per-person-year, females who tested positive had 6.48 more days of hospital admission and 28.37 more home care encounters. Males who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 had 0.66 (95% CI 0.34 to 0.99) more overall health care encounters per-person-year than those who tested negative, with 0.14 (95% CI 0.06 to 0.21) more outpatient encounters and 0.48 (95% CI 0.36 to 0.60) long-term care days, and 0.43 (95% CI -0.67 to -0.21) fewer home care encounters. At the 99th percentile, they had 8.69 more days in hospital per-person-year, with fewer home care (-27.31) and outpatient (-0.87) encounters. INTERPRETATION: We found significantly higher rates of health care use after a positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR test in an analysis that matched test-positive with test-negative people. Stakeholders can use these findings to prepare for health care demand associated with post-COVID-19 condition (long COVID).

Conspiracy mentality among informal caregivers as a risk factor for caregiver burden, mental health, perceived loneliness and social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic: findings of a representative online study from Germany.

PURPOSE: This study aims to analyze if and how conspiracy mentality is associated with mental health, burden and perceived social isolation and loneliness of informal caregivers of older individuals with care needs. METHODS: A quantitative, cross-sectional study was conducted. Participants had to be at least 40 years of age and were drawn randomly from the German online panel forsa.omninet and questioned between the 4th and 19th of March 2021. A sample of 489 informal caregivers (relatives and non-relatives supporting individuals aged ≥ 60 years) was questioned. Conspiracy mentality, depressive symptoms, loneliness and social exclusion were measured with validated instruments (e.g., The Conspiracy Mentality Questionnaire). Questions referred to the last three months prior to assessment. Multiple linear regression analyses, adjusted for sociodemographic, economic and health factors and indicators of the pandemic, were conducted. RESULTS: Findings indicate a significant positive association between conspiracy mentality and caregiver burden, loneliness, social exclusion, and depressive symptoms. No gender differences were found for any outcome. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that conspiracy mentality could be a risk factor for mental health, perceived social isolation and loneliness, and contribute to increased caregiver burden among informal caregivers of older care recipients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Accordingly, informal caregivers could benefit from actions focused on reducing conspiracy mentality during a health crisis, which could improve psychosocial health and wellbeing in this vulnerable group.

Association between increased caregiver burden and severe psychological distress for informal caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, informal caregivers' mental health deteriorated more than that of non-caregivers. We examined the association between increased caregiver burden during the pandemic and severe psychological distress (SPD). METHODS: We used cross-sectional data from a nationwide internet survey conducted between August and September 2020 in Japan. Of 25,482 participants aged 15-79 years, 1,920 informal caregivers were included. SPD was defined as Kessler 6 Scale (K6) score ≥ 13. Self-rated change in caregiver burden was measured retrospectively with a single question item. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between SPD and increased caregiver burden during the pandemic, adjusted for demographic, socioeconomic, health, and caregiving variables. To examine the differential association between increased caregiver burden and SPD, interaction terms were added and binary logistic regression was separately conducted for all variables. RESULTS: Participants' mean age was 52.3 years (standard deviation 15.9), 48.8% of participants were male, 56.7% reported increased caregiver burden, and 19.3% exhibited SPD. Increased caregiver burden was significantly associated with SPD (adjusted odds ratio: 1.90; 95% confidence interval: 1.37-2.66). The association between increased caregiver burden and SPD was stronger among caregivers who were married, those undergoing disease treatment, and those with a care-receiver with a care need level of 1-2. CONCLUSIONS: The results revealed that more than half of caregivers reported increased caregiver burden, and increased caregiver burden was associated with SPD during the pandemic. Measures supporting mental health for caregivers with increased caregiver burden should be implemented immediately.

Care burden, coping styles and involvement in care in mothers of autistic children in pandemic of COVID-19.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to investigate the burden of care, coping styles and involvement in the care of mothers of autistic children in the pandemic of COVID-19 in Iranian society. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. METHODS: A total of 134 mothers completed questionnaires online. Data were analysed by descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation) and independent t-test, ANOVA and multiple linear regressions. The significance level was considered p < .05. RESULT: Findings of the study found that burden of care has a strong and direct correlation with involvement in care (p < .001, r = .78) and strongly and indirectly correlated with coping styles (p < .001, r = -.82). Variables of coping styles, involvement in care, mothers' occupation and number of children, age and functional level of autism can predict 81.27% of the variance in care burden in these mothers.

Care burden, loneliness, and social isolation in caregivers of people with physical and brain health conditions in English-speaking regions: Before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Public health restrictions due to the COVID-19 (SARS CoV-2) pandemic have disproportionately affected informal caregivers of people living with long term health conditions. We aimed to explore levels of care burden, loneliness, and social isolation among caregivers of people with enduring physical and brain health conditions in English-speaking regions worldwide, by investigating outcomes before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A cross-sectional anonymous online survey data from 2287 English-speaking caregivers of people with long term health conditions from four English-speaking regions (UK, Ireland, USA, New Zealand) included measures of care burden, loneliness, and social isolation, reported before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Analyses were descriptive, followed by an ordinal regression model for predictors of burden. RESULTS: Compared to pre-pandemic levels, all caregivers experienced a significant increase in burden, loneliness, and isolation. Caregivers of people with both brain health and physical conditions were the most burdened and had the highest levels of loneliness and isolation compared to caregivers of people with either a brain health or physical condition only. The increase in care burden among caregivers of people with brain health challenges was associated with caregiver's gender, moderate and severe emotional loneliness, magnitude and frequency of isolation during the pandemic, and care circumstances (cohabitation with the care recipient, restrictions on the ability to provide care). CONCLUSIONS: Health and social care interventions should target caregivers' care circumstances and psychological outcomes, particularly in women, accounting for the significant additional burden of care, loneliness, and isolation resulting from pandemic-related restrictions.

Investigation of coronavirus anxiety and caregiving burden among the parents of children with cancer during the COVID-19 outbreak: A descriptive and cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the coronavirus anxiety and caregiving burden of parents of children with cancer during the COVID-19 outbreak. METHODS: This descriptive and cross-sectional study, including 136 parents of children with cancer, was administered through an online survey at a university hospital from 1 to 31 January 2021. Participants completed a questionnaire form, the Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale and the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale. RESULTS: This study identified a significant difference in the caregiving burden scores of parents according to whether their relatives had been diagnosed with COVID-19, whether they were exposed to coronavirus in their environment and whether their children had other illnesses. A significant difference in the coronavirus anxiety scores of parents was observed according to their child's sex and the time elapsed since their child's cancer diagnosis. No correlation was identified between the Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale scores and the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale scores. CONCLUSION: Oncology nurses and other health professionals should be aware of and consider the factors that influence the caregiving burden and coronavirus-related anxiety experienced by parents of children with cancer during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Factors Associated with Increased Caregiver Burden of Informal Caregivers during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Japan.

This study's objective was to explore the association between various factors and the increased caregiver burden of informal caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic. On February, 2021, 700 informal caregivers completed an online survey. We assessed the change in caregiver burden during the COVID-19 pandemic. Among all caregiver participants, 287 (41.0%) complained of an increased caregiver burden due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The factors associated with increased caregiver burden were depressive symptoms in caregivers [odds ratio (OR), 2.20; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.50-3.23], dementia (OR, 2.48; 95%CI, 1.07-5.73) and low Barthel Index scores (OR, 2.01; 95%CI, 1.39-2.90) in care receivers, care days (OR, 1.09; 95%CI, 1.01-1.17) and times (OR, 1.06; 95%CI, 1.01-1.10), and use of home care service (OR, 1.46; 95%CI, 1.01-2.10) and visiting care service (OR, 1.71; 95%CI, 1.20-2.45). These findings suggest we need to pay attention to the physical and mental health of both the care receivers and caregivers.

More GP contacts and poorer health of informal caregivers with low socioeconomic status in Germany: results from the population-based DEGS1 and the cross-sectional GPCare-1 study.

OBJECTIVES: Informal caregivers are known to have poorer mental health. Risk factors for caregiver burden include low education, female gender, cohabitation with the care recipient and lack of resources. General practitioners (GPs) have an important role in supporting caregivers. Drawing on data from two surveys, associations between caregivers' socioeconomic status (SES), psychophysical health and GP contacts are analysed. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. The study draws on data from two surveys (German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Adults, DEGS1 and General Practice Care-1, GPCare-1). SETTING: Germany. PARTICIPANTS: DEGS1: German general population (18+ years) n=7987. GPCare-1: general practice patients (18+ years) n=813. PRIMARY OUTCOME: Psychophysical health, GP contacts and communication. METHODS: Using representative DEGS1 data, the prevalence of informal caregivers, caregivers' burden, chronic stress, various health conditions and frequency of GP contacts were evaluated stratified by SES. Data from the GPCare-1 study addressed caregivers' experiences and communication preferences with GPs. RESULTS: In the DEGS1, the prevalence of caregivers was 6.5%. Compared with non-caregivers, caregivers scored significantly higher for chronic stress (15.45 vs 11.90), self-reported poor health (37.6% vs 23.7%) and GP visits last year (3.95 vs 3.11), while lifestyle and chronic diseases were similar. Compared with caregivers with medium/high SES, those with low SES had a significantly lower prevalence of high/medium caregiver burden (47.9% vs 67.7%) but poorer self-reported health (56.9% vs 33.0%), while other characteristics did not differ. In the GPCare-1 study, the prevalence of caregivers was 12.6%. The majority of them felt that their GP takes their problems seriously (63.6%) without difference by SES. CONCLUSION: Caregivers with low SES constitute an especially high-risk group for psychological strain, requiring special GP attention to support their needs.

Caregiver Tele-Assistance for Reduction of Emotional Distress During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Psychological Support to Caregivers of People with Dementia: The Italian Experience.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 pandemic worsened vulnerability of patients with dementia (PWD). This new reality associated with government restriction and isolation worsened stress burden and psychological frailties in PWD caregivers. OBJECTIVE: To give tele-psychological support to caregivers and evaluate the effect of this intervention by quantifying stress burden and quality of life during the first COVID-19 lockdown. METHODS: 50 caregivers were divided into two groups: "Caregiver-focused group" (Cg) and "Patient-focused group" (Pg). Both groups received telephone contact every 2 weeks over a 28-week period, but the content of the call was different: in Cg, caregivers answered questions about the state of the PWD but also explored their own emotional state, stress burden, and quality of life. In Pg instead, telephone contacts were focused only on the PWD, and no evaluation regarding the caregiver mood or state of stress was made. Psychometric scales were administered to evaluate COVID-19 impact, stress burden, and quality of life. RESULTS: Considering the time of intervention, from baseline (W0) to W28, Zarit Burden Interview and Quality of Life-caregiver questionnaires remained unchanged in Cg as compared with baseline (p > 0.05), whereas they worsened significantly in Pg (p < 0.01), showing increased stress over time and decreased quality of life in this group. Moreover, Impact on Event Scale values improved over the weeks in Cg (p = 0.015), while they remained unchanged in Pg (p = 0.483). CONCLUSION: Caregivers who received telephone support about their mood and stress burden did not worsen their psychological state during the time of intervention, as did instead those who did not get such support.

The effect of anxiety and spiritual well-being on the care burden of caregivers of cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVES: The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected the caregivers of people with all chronic diseases, including people with cancer (PWC). This study was conducted to determine the impact of anxiety and spiritual well-being on the care burden of caregivers of PWC during the COVID-19 pandemic. DESIGN: This cross-sectional descriptive study included 250 caregivers of hematology and oncology patients registered with a cancer support association. All participants completed the following self-report questionnaires: the Spiritual Well-Being Scale (SWBS), Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7), and the Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview (ZBI). RESULTS: Most (82.4%) of the caregivers expressed fear that their patient may contract COVID-19, and 42.0% stated that they had difficulty getting to the hospital. The caregivers' mean ZBI score was 21.06 ± 14.64, their mean GAD-7 score was 14.51 ± 6.02, and their mean SWBS score was 111.50 ± 16.84. According to the results of regression analysis, SWBS and GAD-7 scores had a significant effect on the ZBI score (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In this study, anxiety explained most of the care burden during COVID-19. Therefore, during the COVID-19 pandemic, it may be beneficial to implement practices to promote spirituality and reduce anxiety in caregivers of PWC.

Caregiver burden among adults caring for their Holocaust-survivor parents during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This study aimed to examine the caregiver burden among offspring of Holocaust survivors (OHS) caring for their parents during the COVID-19 pandemic, hypothesizing that caregivers whose parents suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) would report an increased burden. The sample consisted of 109 caregivers with older adult care recipient parents (average caregivers' age = 57.67, SD = 8.49). Caregivers were divided into three groups: 20 OHS who reported that at least one care recipient had PTSD, 60 OHS who reported that their care recipients did not have PTSD, and 29 comparison caregivers (whose care recipients did not undergo the Holocaust). Caregivers completed questionnaires about SARS-CoV-2 exposure, COVID-19 concerns, helping their care recipients, their experiences of caregiver burden, and perceived changes to their caregiver burden during the pandemic. The caregivers also reported PTSD symptoms-in themselves as well as in their care recipients. Relative to comparisons, OHS with parental PTSD reported higher caregiver burden in four aspects: time-dependent burden, developmental burden, physical burden, and social burden. Furthermore, OHS reported a greater perceived increase in caregiver burden during the pandemic than the comparisons. The study findings illuminate the difficulties OHS caregivers, especially those whose care recipients have PTSD, face during the COVID-19 pandemic. This group of caregivers is at risk of experiencing more distress and may need help and support. Further research is needed to determine whether people taking care of their posttraumatic parents following other massive traumatic events also feel a heavier caregiver burden-both in general and specifically during the current pandemic.

High Exhaustion in Geriatric Healthcare Professionals During the COVID-19 Second Lockdown.

BACKGROUND: In a previous study, we assessed burnout in geriatric healthcare workers during the first lockdown that lasted from March to May 2020 in France, in response to the COVID-19 crisis. OBJECTIVE: We carried out a follow-up study to assess burnout in the same population during the second lockdown that was implemented at the end of October 2020. METHODS: We used an online survey to assess burnout in terms of exhaustion and disengagement in a sample of 58 geriatric healthcare workers. RESULTS: We found higher levels of exhaustion, disengagement, and burnout among geriatric healthcare workers during the second than during the first lockdown. We also found high levels of exhaustion but moderate disengagement and burnout during the second lockdown. CONCLUSION: The increased exhaustion, disengagement, and burnout during the second lockdown can be attributed to the increased workload in geriatric facilities throughout this crisis and during the second lockdown due to shortage in staff and increased number of shifts and allocated duties. The high levels of exhaustion reported among geriatric healthcare workers during the second lockdown can reflect their physical fatigue, as well as their feelings of being emotionally overextended and exhausted by their workload.