NEEDS OF THE FAMILY CAREGIVERS OF FRAIL ELDERLY

The purpose of the study was to determine the needs of family caregivers of frail elderly. Forty-one caregivers were interviewed. More than two-thirds of the caregivers were spouses and about 85% of them had health problems which affected their caregiving. Ninety-eight percent of the caregivers were living with the care recipients and the cumulative stress from their continual involvement had affected their lifestyle. Also more than 58% felt that the care recipients needed more care than they could provide. More than 68% of the caregivers were seniors. Differential planning based on each of the caregivers' needs can maximize the care they provide.