Abstract
OBJECTIVES: to identify the bio-social and health characteristics and evaluate the burden on informal caregivers of seniors. METHODS: Study quantitative approach, descriptive, cross and secondary data. The sample was 80 informal caregivers who were active and residents of the city of Itajubá MG. The sample was not probabilistic intentional or rational. RESULTS: We found that 93.8% of caregivers were women, the mean age was 45.77 (SD 15.86); 71.3% were Catholic; 32.5% had completed high school; 52.5% were married; 68.8% had children; the average number of children per family was 1.7 (SD + 1.75); 56.3% lived in nuclear family; 45% were employed. It turned out that 50% of caregivers rated their health as "excellent"; 56.3% said the same compared to last year, was the "same thing"; 51.2% reported that, compared with people of the same age, was "better"; 55% did not have any kind of disease; 63.7% did not exercise; those who practiced it, 32.5% were walking; 17.5% during the performed three times a week; 41.3% reported that if they need caregiver, indicate the children. Total Overload obtained M = 45.5 (SD + 12.92); general tension M = 18.75 (SD + 5.1); Insulation M = 6.0 (SD ± 2.33); Deception M = 9.35 (SD + 3.25); Emotional involvement M = 4.23 (SD + 2.19) and environment M = 7.18 (SD + 2.41). CONCLUSION: the study participants showed little overhead and, on the areas, the general tension was the most contributed to the occurrence of the overload and emotional involvement was that the least interfered.