Psychoeducational Programs for Informal Caregivers of Dependent Older Adults: Barriers to Participation

Psychoeducational programs (PEP) are recommended to provide support to informal caregivers. Evidences show low levels of participation in such programs. Removing barriers is necessary to promote effective programs. The research questions were as follows: what are the barriers to the participation of caregivers of dependent older adults in a PEP? What are the factors that motivate caregivers to participate in a PEP? The main purpose of this study was to analyze the barriers to the participation of informal caregivers of dependent older adults in a PEP and to identify the factors that promote the participation of informal caregivers of dependent older adults in a PEP. A qualitative approach was used for this study, conducted with twenty-four informal caregivers of dependent older adults registered at a Family Health Unit in Trofa County, Portugal. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews. For the analysis of empirical material, the content analysis technique proposed by Bardin was used. The “situational” barriers to the participation were most prevalent (need to escort the care recipient to medical visits, cost of transportation, lack of time due to caregiving tasks, or professional activity). The factors that favored participation mostly corresponded to the “psychosocial” (interest in acquiring additional knowledge and skills) and “institutional” categories (interest in the program content). The results demonstrate that inclusion of the participants in the design, implementation, and assessment of the program, as was the case, did not suffice to facilitate the program participation - the multiple barriers to their participation should also have been taken into account. Only by recognizing such barriers will the program become more effective and efficient for the caregivers.