Evaluation and characterization of informal caregivers in patients admitted to Intensive Care Units of two Portuguese centers

The aging of societies is an incontestable fact and Portugal is no exception. Although among the youngest countries of the European Union (in 1996, the aging index was 86 elderly for every 100 young people, while the European Union in the same proportion was 91 to 100), it is estimated that the aging population undergoes a progressive increase. The age structure is growing older, having low levels of fertility and mortality. Methods: This research aims to identify the sociodemographic characteristics of informal caregivers and users admitted to the Continuous Care Units of Entroncamento city, and Ourém city, Portugal; assess the level of dependency of clients admitted and determine the level of subjective burden, caregiver satisfaction and impact of care on informal caregivers of clients admitted to the Continuous Care Units of Entroncamento city, and Ourém city, Portugal. As research questions are: What are the sociodemographic characteristics of informal caregivers and users admitted to the Continuous Care Units of Entroncamento city, and Ourém city, Portugal; What is the level of dependency of clients admitted and What is the level of subjective burden, caregiver satisfaction and impact of care on informal caregivers of clients admitted to the Continuous Care Units of Entroncamento city, and Ourém city, Portugal. We used a descriptive correlational methodology, with a non-probability convenience sample of 32 informal caregivers and respective dependents admitted to the Continuing Care Unit. Demographic data were collected using a questionnaire. It was also applied to the Caregiver Assessment Scale, to measure the levels of subjective burden, caregiver satisfaction and impact of care on informal caregivers, and the Barthel Index to determine the functional dependence of the dependent institutionalized. Complex hypotheses have also been identified, non-directional, namely: Is there a statistically significant correlation between the level of subjective burden, the impact of care and caregiver satisfaction and level of dependency of the Users hospitalized in Continuous Care Units of Entroncamento city, and Ourém city, Portugal; There are significant differences between the level of subjective burden, the impact of care and caregiver satisfaction, and sociodemographic characteristics of Informal Caregivers of Users admitted to the Continuous Care Units of Entroncamento city, and Ourém city, Portugal. Results: We found a statistically significant relationship exists between subjective burden and level of dependency as well as between the impact of care and level of dependency. Conclusions: We conclude that the population of informal caregivers of clients of Continuing Care Units, attention is needed to more effective part of health professionals, so you can not only improve the satisfaction of the care they provide their dependents, as we reduce the levels overload