Predictors of family caregivers' physical and psychological health following hospitalization of their elders.
OBJECTIVE
To identify characteristics present at the time of elders' (> or = 75 years of age) hospitalization that predicted care-givers' self-reported physical and psychological health 1 year later.


METHODS
A prospective observational cohort study of 104 family caregivers followed for 1 year from the time of their elders' hospitalization.


METHODS
Urban community hospital with academic affiliation.


METHODS
Caregivers of patients enrolled in an evaluation of inpatient interdisciplinary geriatric assessment who provided care for the entire year of follow-up and who participated in all interviews.


RESULTS
Self-reported physical and psychological health.


RESULTS
Caregivers' baseline self-reported physical health (AOR = 21.8; 95% CI = 4.65-102), the impact of caregiving on their social and leisure time activities (AOR = 9.93; 95% CI = 1.71-57.8), and their relationship to their elders (AOR = 6.50; 95% CI = 1.20-35.2) were all significantly associated with self-reported physical health at follow-up. Caregivers' baseline self-reported health (AOR = 3.70; 95% CI = 1.11-12.5), whether or not they had additional current caregiving responsibilities (AOR = 6.67; 95% CI = 1.89-25.0), and the interaction of perceptions of caregiving and the adequacy of family help were significant predictors of psychological health at follow-up, adjusted for baseline psychological health.


CONCLUSIONS
Information available at the time of elderly patients' admission to the hospital can help to differentiate those caregivers at risk for future physical and psychological distress from those who are likely to continue doing well.
Silliman
R A
RA
Health Institute, New England Medical Center, Boston, MA 02111.
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012649:Self Concept; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological