Barriers to Social Participation in Caregivers of Older People: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Some aspects of care contribute for decreased quality of life, health status and well-being among caregivers of older people. Care conditions may affect caregivers’ social participation increasing the odds of those negative outcomes. Then, to maintain a high level of social engagement configures a strategy to protect caregivers against burden and allow them to provide a better care. This study aimed at investigates what are the barriers to social participation in caregivers of older people. A systematic review of the literature was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO and Abstracts in Social Gerontology databases, using social participation, social involvement, social engagement, social activities, social relations, elderly, aged, aging, older people, seniors and caregivers as terms. Twenty-three articles fit the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The barriers to social participation were: characteristics and tasks related to care, caregiver’s mental health, low social support, sex, care receiver’s health, concurrent paid work, age, caregiver’s physical health, financial situation, education  and quality of life. Those barriers need to be approached by professionals and politicians in order to prevent social isolation and promote better quality of life among caregivers.