Stress of caregivers providing care for bedridden elderly, Surat Thani Province.

Abstract

          Background:  Most of the elderly have health problems. Specially the elderly bedridden which family members and relative living in the same household are responsible. While family members have several roles and have responsibilities from their regular work. As a result, they take duties at the same time. These refer to stress which affect to elderly caregivers’ quality of life, physically and mentally.

          Objective: To study the stress level of elderly bedridden caregivers, Surat Thani Province and to study factors associated with stress levels of elderly bed ridden caregivers, Surat Thani Province.

          Methods:  A descriptive research, subjects were 300 elderly bedridden caregivers living in Surat Thani Province. Instrument of the study was the Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistic, and Chi-square, Suanprung Stress Test SPST-20

          Results: Levels of stress among the bedridden caregivers, Surat Thani Province. Showed moderate level 49.00%. Factors associated with stress level of the bedridden caregivers Surat Thani Province were significantly different (p<0.05). There was experience in elderly care, participating in social activities, having someone else to take turns to help care for the elderly, congenital diseases that require ongoing medical or drug treatment and help from the community.

          Conclusion: The results of this study to the development of an approach to care for bedridden elderly in Surat Thani Province.