Factors associated with caregiving burden of family caregivers of older adults with disability, Kathmandu, Nepal.

BACKGROUND: Providing long-term home care for older adults with disabilities places a significant burden on families due to limited formal support systems. This burden affects caregivers’ physical and mental health and consequently results in socioeconomic strain. This study aimed to identify factors associated with caregiving burden among family caregivers of older adults with disability. METHODS: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in two municipalities of Kathmandu, Nepal. Samples were selected using non-probability convenience sampling. Data were collected from 430 family caregivers using a pretested Nepali-translated structured interview schedule from January to March 2022. Pearson chi-square and multivariable binary logistic regression analysis models were used to identify possible factors and predictors of caregiving burden. RESULTS: In this study, 65.3% of family caregivers reported a caregiving burden. Bivariate analysis showed significant associations between caregiving burden and family caregivers’ characteristics, mainly occupation, economic status, residency type, family type and size, perceived stress, health status, caregiving duration, daily care hours, and sleep time. Older adults’ with disability-related factors were the number of health problems, impairment in activities of daily living level, and instrumental activities of daily living status, which were also significantly associated. The predictors of caregiving burden among family caregivers were low economic status, caregiving for 3–35 months, providing care for more or equal to 8 hours daily, and complete activities of daily living impairment of their older adults with disability. CONCLUSIONS: Majority of family caregivers had caregiving burden. The predictors of burden were family caregivers of low economic condition, providing care for long duration, daily long time engaging for care provision and having care receivers with complete impairment in activities of daily livings. Therefore, the government needs to allocate monthly allowance for the family caregivers, developing and conducting awareness programs on various stress-reduction techniques and mobilizing volunteers to offer weekly respite care.