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Support interventions for caregivers of physically disabled adults: A systematic review
Author(s) -
Lawang Wannarat,
Horey Dell,
Blackford Jeanine,
Sunsern Rachanee,
Riewpaiboon Wachara
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
nursing and health sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.563
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 1442-2018
pISSN - 1441-0745
DOI - 10.1111/nhs.12063
Subject(s) - psychological intervention , health care , nursing , family caregivers , systematic review , medicine , gerontology , psychology , medline , political science , law , economics , economic growth
In developing countries family caregivers are an important community‐based resource who provide care for physically disabled adults. Substantial caregiving commitment is known to adversely affect caregiver health and thereby their capacity to provide ongoing care. This systematic review focused on support interventions for caregivers using T hailand as an example. From 1964 to 2011 international and T hai electronic databases and relevant grey literature were searched. Six E nglish papers and 34 T hai papers published between 1990 and 2010 were found. The C ritical A ppraisal S kills P rogramme ( CASP ) tool was modified to appraise methodological quality. All nurse‐led interventions mainly focused on improving caregiving capacity; nearly half considered caregiver health. Only 15 interventions were community‐based. Despite variable research quality all studies showed benefits for caregivers, care recipients, and healthcare services. In developing countries without healthy caregivers physically disabled adults would not receive care. There is an urgent need for further investment in community‐based research to develop effective interventions designed to promote caregiver health and help them maintain their role.