| Abstract [eng] |
Informal caregivers provide most of the long-term care services for the elderly and people with disabilities. Free care represents a significant economic value to the health care system, but it is a major burden on the informal caregivers. Care affects emotional, physical, developmental, social, and dependence domain. To help caregivers, a short-term online cognitive program was offered. This intervention provided participants with tools to deal with negative automatic thoughts, manage stress and anxiety, improve communication, and be attentive to their needs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the change in the care burden applying short-term cognitive online intervention. The study included 16 informal caregivers, all females. The age of the participants was from 46 to 63 years (M = 54; SD = 5.54). The program has been announced in the media, various target groups and social networks. Caregiver Burden Inventory was used to determine the well-being and care burden of informal caregivers. The eight-week online cognitive intervention reduced the care burden on participants and significantly improved developement of the participants and emotional state. A small effect of positive changes in physical health and social relations was also observed. The burden decreased more for caregivers with higher income, care for a father or mother, and care not alone. In the emotional field, the intervention was more effective for those who cared for more years and more hours per day. |
