Exhaustion and Overload of Family Caregivers of Palliative Cancer Patients

Family caregivers of terminal ill cancer patients receiving home based palliative care were interviewed at 2 measurement points. Symptoms of exhaustion and overload (Copenhagen Burnout Inventory, CBI) and caregiver burden (German version of the "Burden Scale for Family Caregivers", BSFC-10) were assessed. The physical and emotional exhaustion of the family caregivers increased over the time of care, regardless of age, gender, education and religion. Caring partners as well as caregivers with financial burden due to the care situation were more exhausted and overloaded than other caregivers. The construct "exhaustion and overload" was closely associated with psychological distress, quality of life and sense of coherence. Offering psychological support for family caregivers should be an integral part of outpatient palliative care. Furthermore it is important to discuss the financial situation of family caregivers at the beginning of home care and refer them to appropriate support services if needed.