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Factors Worsening and Mitigating the Consequences of the COVID-19 Outbreak on the Overall Health of Informal Caregivers of Older People with Long-Term Care Needs Living in Germany and in Italy

Author

Listed:
  • Sara Santini

    (Centre for Socio-Economic Research on Aging, IRCCS INRCA-National Institute of Health and Science on Aging, Via Santa Margherita 5, 60124 Ancona, Italy)

  • Marco Socci

    (Centre for Socio-Economic Research on Aging, IRCCS INRCA-National Institute of Health and Science on Aging, Via Santa Margherita 5, 60124 Ancona, Italy)

  • Paolo Fabbietti

    (Laboratory of Geriatric Pharmacoepidemiology, IRCCS INRCA-National Institute of Health and Science on Aging, Via Santa Margherita 5, 60124 Ancona, Italy)

  • Giovanni Lamura

    (Centre for Socio-Economic Research on Aging, IRCCS INRCA-National Institute of Health and Science on Aging, Via Santa Margherita 5, 60124 Ancona, Italy)

  • Andrea Teti

    (Institute for Gerontology, University of Vechta, 49377 Vechta, Germany)

Abstract

Population ageing and the higher prevalence of multimorbidity in later life are increasing the demand for Long-Term Care (LTC) worldwide; this has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. As in Europe and beyond, the bulk of care for frail older people is carried out by informal caregivers. This study aimed at understanding the factors affecting the overall worsening health of informal caregivers of older people with LTC needs living in Germany and Italy during the outbreak. To this purpose, 319 informal caregivers (149 in Germany and 173 in Italy) were surveyed online in 2020–2021. A logistic regression analysis was performed by country, to obtain an adjusted estimate of the risk of worsening of caregivers’ health. This risk increased by 42% for German caregivers compared to Italian ones, despite the former receiving more formal services. This may depend on different quality standards of LTC services and caregivers’ expectations, and on differing policies concerning migrant care workers (MCWs) during the outbreak, who could not enter Germany and were “trapped” at care recipients’ homes in Italy. Results call for in-home care reforms and policies guaranteeing more effective caregiver support, home care services and fairer working condition for MCWs in both countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Sara Santini & Marco Socci & Paolo Fabbietti & Giovanni Lamura & Andrea Teti, 2022. "Factors Worsening and Mitigating the Consequences of the COVID-19 Outbreak on the Overall Health of Informal Caregivers of Older People with Long-Term Care Needs Living in Germany and in Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-21, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:3:p:1694-:d:740494
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    2. Marco Socci & Andrea Principi & Mirko Di Rosa & Sabrina Quattrini & Davide Lucantoni, 2023. "Motivations, Relationships, Health and Quality of Life of Older Volunteers in Times of COVID-19 Pandemic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-19, July.
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    4. Simona Hvalič-Touzery & Marina Trkman & Vesna Dolničar, 2022. "Caregiving Situation as a Predictor of Subjective Caregiver Burden: Informal Caregivers of Older Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-21, November.
    5. Patrick Janson & Kristina Willeke & Lisa Zaibert & Andrea Budnick & Anne Berghöfer & Sarah Kittel-Schneider & Peter U. Heuschmann & Andreas Zapf & Manfred Wildner & Carolin Stupp & Thomas Keil, 2022. "Mortality, Morbidity and Health-Related Outcomes in Informal Caregivers Compared to Non-Caregivers: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-25, May.
    6. Carlo Lallo & Marta Pasqualini & Cecilia Tomassini, 2022. "Trends in the Use of Home LTC Services in Large, Medium and Small Municipalities in Italy: Lessons for the Post-COVID-19 Reappraisal," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-12, October.

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