The effect of innovative home care projects on the perceived burden of informal caregivers: a follow up study

Purpose/objectives: The Belgian National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (NIHDI) is interested in delaying institutionalization of older persons. Informal caregivers play an important role in maintaining the health, well-being, functional performance and quality of life of older people living at home. The aim of this paper is to identify whether innovative projects in home care are statistically associated with decreasing the informal caregiver’s perceived burden. Background/Methods: The study uses the interRAI HC instrument and a shorter version of the original 22-Zarit Burden Interview. In this ongoing study we have a population of 4346 frail older persons who have an informal caregiver and who are benefiting from innovative projects in home care. Through multivariate logistic regression researchers analyze the effect of the projects in the burden of caregivers. This method enables researchers to take into account factors such as the older person’s cognitive functioning, ADL performance, depressive symptoms, as well as the informal caregivers’ characteristics. Conclusions: This research will provide knowledge on perceived burden and will show whether some types of interventions may have a positive effect on decreasing the burden in giving care. This is important information for home care agencies but also useful information for policy makers at a societal level