The Degree of Independence of the Charges and the Level of Physical and Mental Burden of Nurses Caring for Neurological Patients in Geriatric Age

Introduction. Caring for neurological patients in the elderly has in its scope many problems and difficulties which a modern nurse has to “pay attention to”. Patients require round-the-clock and comprehensive care, which can lead to both the physical and mental exhaustion of the nurse, lack of time for family and friends, or free time to regenerate one’s strength. It can also lead to exhaustion or depression. Then a phenomenon called loading occurs.Aim. The aim of the study was to assess the influence of the degree of independence of charges on the level of physical and mental burden of nurses caring for neurological patients in geriatric age.Material and Methods. The study included 120 people — male and female nurses from treatment and conservative departments. The Katz Scale — Basic Life Activities (ADL) and the Lawton Scale (IADL) — Complex Activities were used. A self-survey questionnaire was used as a research tool. The obtained results were analysed statistically.Results. After analysing the data, the biggest problem for the respondent is: bathing, using the toilet and getting out of bed. According to the respondents, their charges have the least problems: using the telephone, managing money and administering medications. The biggest ones, however: doing housework and washing. The study also showed that more than half of the people (73) are dependent, which is 60.8%. Attention was also paid to the most common diseases that occur among the studied group of charges. According to the respondents, a large percentage of the charges were people after stroke — 63.50% and, for example, Alzheimer’s disease — 29.17%. According to the respondents, the greatest psychological burden, such as: depression of mood 64.5% occurs when caring for dependent patients, although a large percentage of depression can also be observed among caregivers of people with moderate dependency. Statistical analysis showed significant correlation between the respondents’ opinion of how high their psychological burden is in the care of neurological patients in geriatric age and the degree of independence of the patient (p = 0.008). Most of the respondents noticed the frequent possibility of physical stress, taking care of people 82.8%.Conclusions. The degree of independence of charges has a significant impact on the phenomenon of physical and mental strain in nurses. Along with the charge’s worse efficiency and the decrease in their independence, the degree of negative influence of the care on the nurse increases. Neurological diseases (Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, dementia and strokes) are also important. This is largely due to the additional time burden, as this care must be provided continuously and uninterruptedly. (JNNN 2022;11(1):22–26)