El cuidado y sus protagonistas. Diagnóstico de una realidad oculta

Abstract

The article presents the results of a study about disability carried out in the Spanish region of Castile and León in 2019. Its aim is to uncover the opinion, needs, demands and experiences of those in charge of taking care of and providing support to people with disability, as well as the possible recommendations in terms of socio-sanitary resources. The methodology consisted of direct interviews, conducted through a semi-structured questionnaire and the application of the Zarit Caregiver Overload Scale to a sample of 273 caregivers of people with disabilities. Some of the main findings were related to the neglect experienced by both, caregivers and people with disabilities, in rural areas, the lack of opportunities and the limited support that caregivers receive. Conclusion: classic and traditional responses are not sufficient to improve qualifications and services, nor to achieve rights and claims capable of valuing the work they do. The degree of functional autonomy of people with disabilities impacts the caregivers’ living standards. Furthermore, the caregivers’ feeling of overload depends, to a large extent, on the degree of disability of the person being cared for and the support received within the immediate family. Caring is still an essentially feminine task.