Zarit Scale: what is this psychological test and what is it used for?

This instrument is used to measure the degree of well-being of those caring for patients with dementia.

It is usually thought that the patient is the only one who suffers, but in reality behind a subject suffering from some pathology there is a group of people who are also affected in some way by this situation.

The Zarit scale is a psychometric assessment instrument designed to measure the level of affliction intended to measure the level of affection that people dedicated to care for patients diagnosed with some type of dementia may have.

In this article we will review the data sheet of the Zarit scale, we will see the procedure for its application and correction, the population to which the scale is intended, as well as review what the caregiver syndrome consists of.

What is the Zarit scale?

The Zarit scale was originally composed by Steven H. Zarit, and it consists of 22 likert-type consists of 22 likert-type reactive items.. This instrument is intended to measure the level of awareness and perception of caregivers regarding the areas of their lives that are affected by their work.

The frequency values available to the subject to answer the Zarit scale are between 1 (never) and 5 (almost always).

The areas of the questionnaire include both physical and psychological areas, taking into account that caring for a person with dementia is a demanding task in several respectsand can significantly alter the lives of caregivers.

The financial and social resources invested in care are also taken into account by the Zarit scale items.

The score range of this instrument is between 22 to 110 points, the higher the score range obtained by the subject, the higher the level of affection he/she presents with respect to his/her tasks as a caregiver.

Application

The application of this instrument can take multiple forms. For example, it could be applied collectively if a study is being conducted on a sample population. It can also be self-administeredIn case we are taking care of a patient and we want to know to what extent we are affected.

In the field of clinical psychology, the therapist could apply this scale in order to know exactly the level of affection of his patient, and at the same time to show him in a measurable manner that it is necessary to look for better alternatives regarding their work as caregivers..

Correction of the instrument

Once the total scores of the scale have been obtained for the 22 reactive items, we proceed to add them up. As mentioned above, the range is between 22 and 110. The cut-off points that determine the caregiver's level of distress, according to the Spanish adaptation, areaccording to the Spanish adaptation are as follows:

• No overload: 22- 46.
• Overload: 47-55.
• Intense overload: 56-110.
• Population.

The target population for the Zarit scale includes all those people who meet the characteristic of being providing care to one or more patients with some type of diagnosed dementia.

When the subject is caring for a loved one, it is difficult to make him/her understand that it is not healthy to devote full time to the care of a loved one. it is unhealthy to devote full time to this work.. In these cases, there is an emotional bias that blocks the objectivity of caregivers. In these cases, the therapist should apply the techniques and treatments taking into account the intensity of the caregiver's dependence on the person being cared for.

Sometimes caregivers create a dysfunctional Sometimes caregivers create a dysfunctional environment, where their actions are counterproductive for all parties involved (caregiver, family and patient).

Caregiver syndrome

The Zarit Caregiver Scale is designed, among other things, to determine whether a person may be experiencing caregiver syndrome. whether a person may be suffering from caregiver syndromeCaregiver syndrome, which consists of a state of generalized impairment caused by performing caregiving tasks for a person with symptoms of dementia.

The emotional, physical, and sometimes also economic overload that falls on some caregivers, especially when it comes to family members, can completely change the roles played by each of them within the family. within the family.

This situation complicates their daily activities to a high degree and can mean the loss of jobs, family separations, among a series of other maladaptive situations for individuals with caregiver syndrome.

Recommendations to avoid the syndrome

In general terms, the professional guidelines that are usually given to caregivers to reduce the risk of presenting this symptomatology are the following:

• Do not be the only caregiver, delegate functions.
• Avoid social isolation at all costs.
• Prevent high levels of stress.
• Discuss the patient's progress with other family members or caregivers.
• Maintain healthy lifestyle habits (food, sleep, hygiene).
• Have moments of rest (time set aside to do other things of personal interest).

In the case of therapists who have patients with caregiver syndrome, they should work on fostering their autonomy and channeling the behavioral problems they may present. In order to achieve that the subject adequately distributes the time between his life and that of the patient he is caring for.