HOME-BASED CAREGIVERS OF PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES IN RURAL SETTINGS AND THEIR CHALLENGES

ABSTRACT

Objective:

to analyze the challenges, characteristics, and feelings of home caregivers of people with intellectual disabilities in the rural context.

Method:

this is a quanti-qualitative study with 124 caregivers of people with intellectual disabilities living in rural settings in eight municipalities in southern Brazil. Data were collected from September/2018 to June/2019, through a questionnaire with social, demographic, and daily variables of care. The analysis was analytical and descriptive type, through frequency and frequency comparison.

Results:

the home caregivers are women, mothers, sisters, of advanced age, with little education, but who, in the face of challenges such as accumulation of functions, work overload, low education, fatigue, social and professional isolation, develop their attributions with love.

Conclusion:

the study contributed to the identification of the characteristics and challenges of caregivers of people with intellectual disabilities in rural areas, revealing issues for the advancement of public health practices.

DESCRIPTORS
Caregivers; Intellectual Disability; Nursing; Rural Population; Social Support