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Family Caregiver’s Loneliness and Related Health Factors: What Can Be Changed?

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  • Sylvie Bonin-Guillaume

    (Neurosciences of Systems Institute, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, UMR-Inserm 1106, Aix Marseille University, 13005 Marseille, France
    Internal Medicine and Geriatric Department, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Marseille, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Marseille, 13005 Marseille, France)

  • Sylvie Arlotto

    (Service d’Evaluation Médicale, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Marseille, 13005 Marseille, France
    Health Service Research and Quality of Life Center (EA 3279), School of Medicine, La Timone Medical Campus, Aix Marseille University, 13005 Marseille, France)

  • Alice Blin

    (Service d’Evaluation Médicale, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Marseille, 13005 Marseille, France)

  • Stéphanie Gentile

    (Service d’Evaluation Médicale, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Marseille, 13005 Marseille, France
    Health Service Research and Quality of Life Center (EA 3279), School of Medicine, La Timone Medical Campus, Aix Marseille University, 13005 Marseille, France)

Abstract

Background: Loneliness is a public health issue that may affect the entire population. Loneliness is associated with depression, sleep disorders, fatigue, and increased risk of obesity and diabetes. Risk factors for loneliness include having a poor social network and poor physical and mental health. The main objective was to study factors related to loneliness of family caregivers caring for independent older people. Methods: We performed a non-interventional observational cross-sectional study in south-eastern France. Family caregivers caring for people aged 70 and over and living at home were included. These older people were independent, without long-term conditions, and had applied for professional social assistance for daily living. Data were collected through a questionnaire, administered face-to-face or by telephone. Loneliness and perceived health status were measured through a single-question. Burden was assessed through the Mini-Zarit Scale, and frailty was measured through the Gerontopole Frailty Screening Tool. Results: Of the 876 family caregivers included, 10% felt lonely often or always. They reported more physical and mental health issues than those who did not feel loneliness ( p < 0.001). Family caregivers with loneliness were more likely to be looking after a parent and were twice as likely to have a moderate to severe burden (OR = 2.6). They were more likely to feel anxious (OR = 5.6), to have sleep disorders (OR = 2.4), to be frail (OR = 2), and to view the status of their health as poor or bad (OR = 2). Conclusions: Loneliness has a negative impact on health, causes frailty, and places a burden on family caregivers. Means must be implemented to anticipate the consequences of the loneliness felt by family caregivers, notably by orienting them towards the relevant services.

Suggested Citation

  • Sylvie Bonin-Guillaume & Sylvie Arlotto & Alice Blin & Stéphanie Gentile, 2022. "Family Caregiver’s Loneliness and Related Health Factors: What Can Be Changed?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-9, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:12:p:7050-:d:834632
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Marjolein I. Broese van Groenou & Alice Boer, 2016. "Providing informal care in a changing society," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 13(3), pages 271-279, September.
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