Health and frailty among older spousal caregivers: an observational cohort study in Belgium.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Among older couples, spouses are first in line to provide care, and they are key elements in the home support of dependent older persons. In this context, ensuring the health of these older spousal caregivers should be an important issue for all of the providers who care for older adults. The aim of this study was to longitudinally assess the health of older spousal caregivers considering frailty, nutrition, cognition, physical performance and mood disorders.

Methods

In this longitudinal, observational cohort study, participants were assessed at home in Wallonia, Belgium. At baseline, 82 community-dwelling spouses of older patients with cognitive deficits or functional impairment were assessed; 78 caregivers were assessed at follow-up (16 months). The clinical ins

SUBMITTER: Potier F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6258488 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature