Perceived support in caregivers of patients legally dependent

The Spanish law of Promoting the Personal Autonomy and Attention to people in dependence situation (39/2006) recognizes the enjoyment of assistance to its beneficiaries. General Objective: Determinate the degree of perceived social support in caregivers of persons receiving benefits established by the law. Specific Objectives: To establish the socio-sanitary profile of patients and caregivers and to know, on the basis of the degree of dependency recognized, the features catalogue offered and chosen by our patients. Methodology: descriptive cross-sectional study. Study population: 98 patient-caregiver pairs belonging to Isla Chica’s Health Center (Huelva). Results: The patient profile was a polymedicated woman aged around 74 years old, mainly with self-care deficits and a physical mobility impairment. The caregiver profile was a woman aged around 58 years old, who was taking care of her mother for two years. She showed arterial hypertension, adaptation disorders and osteoarticular diseases. 67.4% of the caregivers receive little total support. Discussion: The physical and mental efforts these dependent caregivers are subjected to has a negative influence on the perception of social support, despite the benefits granted.