Health literacy (HL) allows people to access, understand and evaluate health information. Informal caregivers’ levels of HL may impact long-term care outcomes. ‘Informal caregivers’ profile in Lisbon county: a health community approach’ is a nurse-led research project aiming to assess informal caregivers’ health literacy and associated factors in Lisbon county, as well as to foster the development of a local-specific health literacy strategy. A survey to identify a health/social caregiver profile, including questions about HL (HLS-EU-PT), was submitted to a representative sample of carers. Descriptive and bivariate inferential analysis was developed. Informal caregivers’ level of HL was mostly sufficient (n = 99, 38%). More than 60% of caregivers have limited HL regarding health promotion. ‘Access’, ‘Appraisal’ and ‘Use’ are the information processing stages with lower mean scores of HL. Carers with low HL levels appear to be older and to have less education, low knowledge of community resources and decreased wellbeing (p < 0.05). A strategy focused on health promotion-related HL through primary care resources can potentially improve caregivers’ knowledge, competencies and motivation, as well as health system sustainability. Reported HLS-EU-PT scores deserve special attention. Future work should emphasize the role of HL-associated factors and health outcomes for caregivers and cared-for persons.

Objetivo: Analisar a relação existente entre os traços de personalidade e o autocuidado em cuidadores familiares de idosos com Alzheimer. Métodos: Estudo transversal, com 118 cuidadores familiares de idosos com Alzheimer, participantes de dois centros Centro de Atenção à Saúde do Idoso no período de maio a dezembro de 2015. Resultados: 38,1% dos cuidadores apresentaram neuroticismo baixo; 46,6% apresentaram extroversão média; 45,8% apresentaram abertura média; 36,4% apresentaram amabilidade alta e 40,7% dos cuidadores apresentaram conscienciosidade alta. Mensuração da escala Appraisal of Self Care Agency Scale-Revised - ASA-R - fator “Tendo Poder”- média de 4,07/desvio padrão 0,81; “Desenvolvendo Poder”- média de 4,17/desvio padrão de 0,63 e “Faltando Poder”- média 2,81/desvio padrão 1,11, evidenciando maior variação. Houve influência significativa e negativa do Neuroticismo sobre o fator “Faltando Poder”. Conclusão: Faz-se necessário conhecer o perfil, os traços de personalidade e a valoração específica da escala de autocuidado em suas dimensões para direcionar a assistência.

The increasing overload of chronic conditions raises challenges for the health system. Informal caregivers have a major role in ensuring the quality of life of the cared-for person, despite the reported lack of working resources which can lead to unmet needs. This article reports on the first part of a nurse-led research project entitled ‘‘Informal caregiver’ profiles in Lisbon county: a health community approach.’ We aimed to support decision-making by developing an informal caregiver profile to promote tailored interventions. A survey addressing the dyad was developed and submitted to a convenient, network-based, stratified sample of carers aged 18 years or above. More than thirty community partners supported the identification of caregivers. Data were submitted to univariate descriptive analysis. A profile of the cared-for person and the informal caregiver was uncovered by identifying 639 caregivers, of whom the majority lived with the cared-for person. Only four percent planned the transition to a caregiver role, and no more than 10% had access to support programs. Approximately half of the respondents found that COVID-19 negatively impacted their performance in the caregiver role. Developing a local and tailored strategy with collaboration between healthcare professionals, academics, and community partners is key to ensuring that meaningful support is provided to caregivers.