Introduction:

Population aging is a challenge for modern societies. Life expectancy conditions an increase in the elderly population, resulting in a greater number of people requiring care.

Objective:

To characterize the caregivers of older adults in family doctor's office No. 9.

Methods:

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 57 informal caregivers of surveyed elderlies from the Medical Office No. 9, Ramón González Coro Teaching Polyclinic from October to December 2017.

Results:

The results showed that the caregiver is generally a female member of the family, with a high school level completed and aging between 45-60 years. This person takes most of the responsibility for the full-time care of the elderly, with no help and with no employment relationship. They have little knowledge related to the care of the elderly and do not know how to avoid or reduce the degree of overload or stress. Caregivers need training through seminars, courses at schools for home caregivers, which can be directed at how to manage the elderly who depend on someone; everything related to the transition of knowledge about self-care and the well-being of both parties.

Conclusion:

The caregivers of the health area under study are characterized by being female family relatives, middle age, high school or higher educational level, but with insufficient knowledge for providing care to the elderly and their self-care.

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