The relationship between the care burden and quality of life of families with disabilities who use and do not use day care services: The sample of Denizli

In Türkiye, day care centers have been established to support the care of individuals with disabilities living with their families. In addition to providing essential services, these centers offer region-specific activities that facilitate the socialization and rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities, while also aiming to reduce the burden on caregivers. However, there is a limited body of literature directly comparing the effects of day care services on caregiver burden and family quality of life. The studies to be done on daytime care services is expected to contribute to improving the quality of the service and empowering caregivers in family-based care services. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare the caregiver burden and family quality of life of caregivers of individuals with disabilities who benefit from day care services and those who do not, and to examine the impact of day care services on the care process. Method: This research was designed using a correlational survey model. The study sample consisted of 102 caregivers of individuals with disabilities, including both users and non-users of the Merkezefendi Barrier-Free Life Academy located in Denizli, Türkiye. Data were collected using a socio-demographic questionnaire developed by the researcher, the Caregiver Burden Scale (validated in Turkish by İnci, 2008), and the Beach Center Family Quality of Life Scale (adapted into Turkish by Meral, 2013). Findings: Analysis results indicated that caregivers in the day care service group had significantly higher scores in physical/material well-being (p = 0.005) and total family quality of life (p = 0.037). A significant negative correlation was found between caregiver burden and family quality of life (r = -0.375, p < .001). Caregivers with insufficient economic resources reported lower perceptions of well-being and higher caregiver burden (p = 0.002; p = 0.047). The degree of kinship between the caregiver and the individual with disabilities significantly affected caregiver burden (H(2) = 6.556, p = 0.038). Additionally, higher educational attainment was associated with significantly greater perceptions of physical/material well-being (p = 0.006). Implications: The research findings reveal that daytime care services play a significant supportive role in improving the quality of life of caregivers for individuals with disabilities and reducing their care burden. Empowering caregivers through such services will contribute to the healthier progression of family-based care services for individuals with disabilities and their caregivers, as well as to the extension of the care period. The contribution of day care services can be used as an argument in advocacy efforts by families with members with disabilities and civil society organizations to open such centers in cities that do not have them. Keywords: day care center, caregiver, family quality of life, caregiver burden, rehabilitation, support services in the care process