Caregiver skills of the main caregiver of the older adult with peritoneal dialysis

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic kidney disease has severe consequences for older adults, and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis is an alternative treatment, but it affects the quality of life of patient, family, and primary caregiver. It requires a caregiver with caregiving skills to provide support in some elemental activities, as well as emotional and spiritual support to the patient.

Objective: To identify the level of caregiving skills of the primary caregiver of the older adult on peritoneal dialysis.

Methodology: Descriptive study in 80 family caregivers of older adults with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. It was used the Caregiving skill of the family caregiver instrument, which consists of 55 items, divided into three dimensions: relationship, 27 items; understanding, 18 items; and life modification, 10 items. The instrument includes sociodemographic, relationship and time spent variables. A database was created and it was used descriptive statistics analysis.

Results: Caregiving skills were high in 65%; relationship dimension high in 38.8%, and medium in 61.3%; understanding high in 86.2%; life modification high in 68.8%. 85% were female caregivers; 46.3% spent > 37 months providing care, 50% provided care > 24 hours; parents and wife/husband supported in 91.3%.

Conclusion: Our findings show that caregiving skills of primary caregivers were generally good with the significant involvement of the nursing staff in the training and support received.