Estrés por sobrecarga en el cuidador informal de pacientes oncologicos en la instancia domiciliaria

Abstract

Introduction: the informal caregiver is the person who provides help and support to the person with some disability that hinders the normal development of their vital activities, usually, it is family or friends who provide the care. Objective: to identify the level of stress overload in informal caregivers of cancer patients at home. Methods: a qualitative type of research was carried out, because it was based on having a conversation with the informal caregiver, the researcher interacted with the subjects of study obtaining answers to questions based on the experience of daily coexistence with the oncology patient. Likewise, information was collected through an interview with the primary caregiver, who answered several questions that were recorded with the permission of the individual interviewed. Results: emotions such as mental stress, physical and social overload were identified. In addition, it is established that the informal or primary caregiver spends an average of 6-24 hours a day on caregiving, whereby personal life has changed drastically, their daily activities are no longer carried out in the same order. Conclusion: it is concluded that stress overload in the informal caregiver of cancer patients in the home setting is caused by the drastic change in the caregiver's personal life, that is, the daily routine in combination with the care of the family member led to physical and social exhaustion.