Abstract

Purpose: To know the relationship between caring ability and overload level in informal caregivers of dependent people who belong to the home care Support Program for bedridden or severely disabled people of all ages from Magallanes Region, Chile. Materials and method: Descriptive, cross-sectional and correlational study with a quantitative approach whose sample of 151 caregivers was not probalistic, by convenience. The caring ability with its dimensions: knowledge, patience, and courage were measured with the Caring Ability Inventory (CAI). The independent variables were measured with the Zarit Overload Scale and the demographic data and derivatives of the care giving activity, were collected using a survey. Results: a significant negative relationship between the total caring ability and the caregivers' burden was found. So, those with less caring ability will experience a more intense overload level. Conclusions: Informal caregivers have caring ability, a high level of knowledge and they are patient with care work. This is related to the absence of overload. Courage is found mainly in an average level having a positive relationship with the overload.