Citation

Rushton PW, Labbé D, Demers L, Miller WC, Mortenson WB, Kirby RL. Gerontol. Geriatr. Med. 2017; 3: e2333721417703736.

Affiliation

Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, The Author(s), Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/2333721417703736

PMID

28491917

PMCID

PMC5406150

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to describe the burden of family caregivers providing powered wheelchair-related and overall assistance and test the hypotheses that caregiver burden correlates with participation, wheelchair skills capacity, anxiety, depression, and social support.

METHODS: Cross-sectional study. Participants included 35 family caregivers of powered wheelchair users. Caregivers were assessed using the Power Mobility Caregiver Assistive Technology Outcome Measure, Late Life Disability Instrument, Wheelchair Skills Test Questionnaire for caregivers, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and Interpersonal Support Evaluation List-12.

RESULTS: The most burdensome powered wheelchair assistance items were providing verbal hints/directions, needing to be nearby, anxiety, and fear that user may be harmed. The most burdensome overall assistance item was feeling limited in recreational/leisure activities. Caregiver burden was significantly correlated with participation limitations, anxiety, depression, and social support.

DISCUSSION: Caregivers experience burden for wheelchair-related and overall help, especially psychological burden. Such results have implications for the type of resources required to support family caregivers.

Language: en

Keywords

caregiver; caregiver burden; cross-sectional study; power wheelchair