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Background <p>Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, informal caregivers (iPP) were under significant burden but rarely utilized formal support services. During the pandemic this situation intensified. It remains unclear whether these challenges persist in the post-pandemic period.</p> Objective <p>(1)&#xa0;Are there differences in the objective and subjective burdens of iPP in the pre-post pandemic comparison? (2)&#xa0;To what extent were formal support services utilized in the pre- and post-pandemic comparison?</p> Material and methods <p>The secondary data analysis is based on pre-pandemic data from the <i>Benefits of Being a&#xa0;Caregiver</i> study (October 2019–February 2020, <i>N</i> = 489) and post-pandemic data from the <i>Progression in Home Care </i>study (September 2022–May 2023, <i>N</i> = 471). Propensity score matching was performed to reduce systematic differences. In the evaluation χ<sup>2</sup> tests or Fisher’s exact tests as well as (Welch’s) t‑tests or nonparametric tests were used.</p> Results <p>The objective burden decreased significantly after the pandemic; however, approximately 30.0% of iPP providing over 10 hours of care per day remained highly burdened. The subjective burden remained consistently high. The use of formal services increased in specific areas (caregiver counselling, household assistance, voluntary care services, medical care, therapeutic services) but overall remained at a&#xa0;low level. All effect sizes were small, except for a&#xa0;large effect for medical care utilization.</p> Conclusion <p>Even after the pandemic iPP continue to show high levels of subjective and objective burden, which is associated with an increased risk of health impairments. To counteract this, the utilization of formal relief services should be specifically increased.</p>

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Hohe Belastung und geringe Inanspruchnahme von Hilfen als anhaltendes Problem für informell Pflegende nach der COVID-19-Pandemie

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年1月9日

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  • Anna Pendergrass,
  • Elmar Graessel,
  • André Kratzer,
  • Petra Scheerbaum,
  • Oliver-Timo Henßler,
  • Maria Heckel,
  • Natascha Lauer

摘要

Background

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, informal caregivers (iPP) were under significant burden but rarely utilized formal support services. During the pandemic this situation intensified. It remains unclear whether these challenges persist in the post-pandemic period.

Objective

(1) Are there differences in the objective and subjective burdens of iPP in the pre-post pandemic comparison? (2) To what extent were formal support services utilized in the pre- and post-pandemic comparison?

Material and methods

The secondary data analysis is based on pre-pandemic data from the Benefits of Being a Caregiver study (October 2019–February 2020, N = 489) and post-pandemic data from the Progression in Home Care study (September 2022–May 2023, N = 471). Propensity score matching was performed to reduce systematic differences. In the evaluation χ2 tests or Fisher’s exact tests as well as (Welch’s) t‑tests or nonparametric tests were used.

Results

The objective burden decreased significantly after the pandemic; however, approximately 30.0% of iPP providing over 10 hours of care per day remained highly burdened. The subjective burden remained consistently high. The use of formal services increased in specific areas (caregiver counselling, household assistance, voluntary care services, medical care, therapeutic services) but overall remained at a low level. All effect sizes were small, except for a large effect for medical care utilization.

Conclusion

Even after the pandemic iPP continue to show high levels of subjective and objective burden, which is associated with an increased risk of health impairments. To counteract this, the utilization of formal relief services should be specifically increased.