Abstract
This study focused on the physiological responses to stress experienced by elderly people (over 65 years old) during the middle-of-the-night hours due to acts of caregiving, through 2 kinds of ambulatory physiological measurements. This study also looked at the ramifications of this stress.
The results were as follows: middle-of-the-night caregiving at home by the aged is categorized as a low degree load of exercise. The patterns of change of HR could be classified into 3 types, one of which involved great change and severe stress on the cardiovascular system. An increase in frequency and progression in degree of SVPCs and PVCs due to caregiving was found in 27.3% and 18.2% of the caregivers, respectively. The patterns of change of BP were classified into 3 patterns, one of which involved an elevation of BP that was initiated by caregiving and continued to the time of rising. This pattern is called a morning surge.
This study indicated that some of the elderly caregivers were obliged to take on a high degree of cardiovascular load due to caregiving, and that middle-of-the-night caregiving confused the physiological rhythm of caregivers and caused health problems.
