Inequality in health consequences among informal caregivers of adults with chronic disease

Abstract In the Nordic countries as well as globally, ageing populations and more people with chronic diseases leads to more middle-aged and older people becoming informal caregivers. Informal caregivers may face health consequences due to stress associated with taking care of a relative. Some groups may be more prone to negative health consequences, e.g. those with low income and short educational attainment, women and ageing people. However, less attention has been given to what drives these differences and how they may be mitigated. In this study including men and women with different socioeconomic position aged 50 and above caring for an adult with chronic disease, we will investigate how they experience their role as caregivers and what they perceive as driving and mitigating factors of health consequences. Qualitative methods will be applied, including semi-structured interviews with informal caregivers. Participants will be recruited from two hospitals located in a socioeconomically divers region of Denmark. In both hospitals field observations will be conducted to observe the interaction between patient, caregiver and health professionals. Results from this investigation will highlight possible ways to mitigate inequality and may lay the foundation for future interventions aimed at vulnerable informal caregivers. Knowledge of factors associated with inequality in health consequences among informal caregivers and mitigating factors are relevant for healthcare personnel as well as stakeholders working with informal caregivers. At the conference preliminary themes from field observations and pilot interviews will be presented, and further experiences with difficulties and opportunities engaging in this field will be discussed.