Introduction. The occurrence of chronic disease with functional mobility deficits in a family member results in an increased need for providing formal and informal patient care services. As a result of a long-term patient care in a home environment, a negative impact is imposed on informal carers. Aim. An analysis of selected factors conditioning a negative impact on informal carers of home care patients with functional mobility deficits, based on social and demographic, as well as organizational and health factors. Material and methods. The survey was conducted among 150 informal home carers and 149 chronic disease patients with functional mobility deficits. The assessment of the negative impact on informal carers was carried out using a screening tool which allows identifying the needs of home carers, that is the COPE-Index questionnaire. Results. The average value of negative impact on home carers in the negative impact subscale was 11.80 (SD =3.75), which suggests that provision of care results in overburdening of carers which becomes exacerbated with time (p < 0,01), and leads to the deterioration of caregivers’ health (p < 0,01). The average value in the positive value subscale was 13.71 (SD = 2.08), and the quality of support subscale was 12.4 (SD = 2.69). The results indicated by the positive value and quality of support subscales showed a significant correlation with the age, the fact that the caregiver was a female, the increase of time of care and the availability of support of other persons (p < 0,01). Conclusions. Although, the informal carers experience negative impact related to providing home care to patients with functional mobility deficits, they also stress the positive emotions in terms of positive value of care and quality of support. The burden on the carer correlates with the patient’s age and period of care, as well as the physical and mental condition of the carer.

Key words: negative impact, informal carer, home care, functional mobility deficits.