Unmet supportive care needs, care satisfaction and care burden of caregivers of cancer patients receiving outpatient chemotherapy:comparison of caregivers aged 65 under and over.

The study conducted to compare the unmet supportive care needs, care burden and care satisfaction of caregivers, aged under and over 65, of cancer patients receiving outpatient chemotherapy. Study sampled 112 primary caregivers caring for cancer patients undergoing 2nd and 3rd cycle chemotherapy in outpatient chemotherapy unit of Dr. Abdurrahman Yurtaslan Ankara Oncology Training and Research Hospital and Ankara City Hospital. In the study, data were collected using the Patient Descriptive Information Form, Caregiver Descriptive Information Form, Supportive Care Needs Scale for Caregivers, Caregiver Satisfaction Assessment Index and Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale. Data were analyzed with the t-test, ANOVA test, Pearson correlation test. The total score of unmet supportive care needs of caregivers under the age of 65 was 104.48±20.52, and 100.96±19.12 for caregivers aged 65. The total score of the satisfaction index of caregivers under the age of 65 was 51.16±6.91, and the total score of the satisfaction index of caregivers aged 65 and over is 51.46±7.25. Caregivers in both age groups had similar levels of care satisfaction. In our study, the burden of caregivers under the age of 65 was 26.00±13.86, and that of caregivers aged 65 and over was 27.23±15.28. Care burden perception levels were found to be mild for both age groups. A statistically significant, inverse, moderate relationship was found between the supportive care needs of caregivers under the age of 65 and satisfaction. In addition, it was determined that there was a statistically significant, linear and strong relationship between the supportive care needs of caregivers under the age of 65 and the burden of caregiving, and a statistically significant, linear and moderate relationship between the supportive care needs and caregiving burden of individuals over the age of 65. In our study, supportive care needs, care satisfaction and care burden of caregivers under and over 65 years of age were found to be similar, but no significant difference was found in terms of age. According to the results of the study; in order to reduce the burden of care and to increase care satisfaction, it is recommended to do a routine assessment for caregivers and determine the support areas, needs of caregivers.