Burden of Palliative Care among Caregivers with Low Socioeconomic Status
Sonia Bhutia, Avi Choudhary, Himani KaushikBackground:
Palliative care addresses the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of patients with life-limiting illnesses and their families. In low socioeconomic settings, the burden placed on family caregivers intensifies due to limited access to health care, poor educational resources, and financial instability. These caregivers often assume the role of primary caregivers without formal training or support, leading to significant physical and psychological strain.
Aim:
To assess the level of burden experienced by palliative caregivers with low socioeconomic status and their well-being.
Methodology:
A cross-sectional, survey-based study was conducted among 34 primary caregivers of patients receiving palliative care in the Delhi-NCR, who were included based on specific inclusion criteria. Participants were selected using convenience sampling. The Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) was used to assess caregiver burden, and the World Health Organization (WHO-5) Well-Being Index was used to evaluate their psychological well-being. Consent and Personal data were collected in the physical presence of the participants after explaining the nature and purpose of the study.
Results:
The study revealed that a majority of caregivers from low socioeconomic backgrounds experienced a moderate to severe burden as measured by the ZBI. In addition, WHO-5 Well-Being Index scores indicated that a significant proportion of caregivers had low psychological well-being, highlighting the mental and emotional strain associated with prolonged caregiving without formal support.
Conclusion:
Caregivers in palliative care settings from low socioeconomic backgrounds experience high levels of burdens that negatively impact their mental well-being. The study underscores the need for policy-level interventions to bridge gaps in palliative care access and equity.