Table 2.
Demographic characteristics of the caregivers and of the patients studied
| Caregivers | Dependent Patients | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Age (years) | Age (years) | ||
| Global (n = 153) | 63.8 ± 12.8 | Global (n = 153) | 79.14 ± 17.3 |
| Males (n = 42) | 66.8 ± 13.6 | Males (n = 48) | 74.90 ± 19 |
| Females (n = 111) | 62.7 ±12.4 | Females (n = 105 | 81.08 ± 15.9 |
| Age when they started being caregivers | 53.0 ± 13.9 | ||
| Hours per day caring for | 19.2 (7.2) | ||
| Marital status | Level of functional dependence a | ||
| Married | 99 (64.7%) | Total | 76 (49.7%) |
| Single | 42 (27.5%) | Severe | 28 (18.3%) |
| Widow | 12 (7.8%) | Moderate | 32 (20.9%) |
| Slight | 17 (11%) | ||
| Level of Education | Level of Education | ||
| Graduate | 25 (16.3%) | Graduate | 0 (0.0%) |
| Secondary studies | 29 (19.0%) | Secondary studies | 11 (7.2%) |
| Primary studies | 88 (57.5%) | Primary Studies | 107 (69.9%) |
| Illiterate | 11 (7.2%) | Illiterate | 20 (13.1%) |
| Non answered | 0 (0.0%) | Non answered | 15 (9.8%) |
| Relationship with the dependent | Cognitive damageb | ||
| Son/daughter | 72 (47.1%) | Important | 63 (41.2%) |
| Spouse | 41 (26.8%) | Moderate | 26 (17.0%) |
| Parents | 22 (14.4%) | Slight | 14 (9.2%) |
| Others | 18 (11.9%) | Without damage | 50 (32.7%) |
| Activities: | |||
| Housewife and caregiver | 115(75.2%) | ||
| Worker and caregiver | 33(21.6%) | ||
| Other | 5(3.3%) | ||
The data are presented as the Mean ± Standard Deviation or as number and percentage.
a.- Assessment of the level of functional dependence according to Barthel categorization: Total dependence: Value 0-20; Severe dependence: 21-60; Moderate dependence: 61-90; Slight dependence: 91-99; Independent: 100.
b.-Cognitive damage assessed with Pfeiffer's measure: Severe damage: 8-10 errors; Moderate: 5-7; Slight: 3-4; Without damage: 0-3.