Live-in versus live-out home care workers in Spain: physical and psychological health outcomes

Geriatr Nurs. 2025 Jul 3;64:103439. doi: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2025.103439. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To provide a comprehensive understanding of home care workers’ well-being by analyzing both physical and mental health parameters, comparing live-in with live-out carers, and correlating physical and mental health parameters.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ninety-eight in-home care workers of dependent older adults participated. Outcomes included sociodemographic, work- and caregiving-related, clinical, body composition, physical fitness, physical activity, and psychological variables.

RESULTS: Home care workers, particularly live-ins, showed high prevalence of overweight/obesity, musculoskeletal pain, low strength and cardiorespiratory fitness, burnout, depression, anxiety, and low quality of life. Live-ins had worse cardiorespiratory fitness and higher emotional exhaustion than live-outs (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Home care workers, exhibited concerning physical and psychological characteristics potentially impacting their health and well-being. Specific physical and psychological interventions are needed to improve occupational health and quality of life in this population. Geriatric nurses and nurse practitioners could be essential in screening for caregiver strain, supporting preventive strategies, and facilitating referrals.

PMID:40614287 | DOI:10.1016/j.gerinurse.2025.103439