Identifying caretakers' care burden and anxiety levels in providing home health care to neurological patients

Identifying Caretakers' Care Burden and Anxiety Levels in Providing Home Health Care to Neurological Patients Aim: This descriptive study intended to identify the care burden and anxiety levels of caretakers in caring for neurological patients who benefited from home health care services. Material and Method: Study data were collected from the caretakers of patients who received home health care services affiliated to İpekyolu Public Hospital of Van Association of Public Hospitals between June 20, 2015 and October 25, 2015. In addition to "Information Form" developed by the researcher, "Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview" and STAI (State -Trait Anxiety Inventory) were used as data collection tools. Data obtained in the framework of the study were evaluated with the help of SPSS 22 statistics software program. Results: Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview and Trait Anxiety mean scores were found to be 47.15±7.104 and 43.10±4.832 respectively. It was found that 11.7% of the caregivers had moderate burden, 85% had moderate to severe burden and 3.3% had severe burden.The findings showed that degree of kinship with the patient generated statistically significant differences in KW values in the Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview mean scores (p<0.05). Conclusion: As a result of the research, caregivers of neurological problem patients who received home care services were found to have a higher degree of care. It has been determined that those who have problems in meeting the health costs of patients and women caregivers experience more anxiety.