Needs of family caregivers of patients receiving home hospice care for cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To identify needs of family caregivers of home hospice patients with cancer.


METHODS
Exploratory, descriptive.


METHODS
Six nonprofit homecare hospices in Canada.


METHODS
Twenty Caucasian family caregivers of 20 patients with cancer enrolled in home hospice.


METHODS
Subjects were recruited on admission to hospice and completed the Home Caregiver Need Survey in the home.


METHODS
Family caregivers' assessment of their poorly satisfied informational, household, patient care, personal, spiritual, and psychological needs.


RESULTS
Family caregivers needed time for themselves away from the house and for their personal needs. They also lacked sufficient time to rest and did not experience adequate sleep. Caregivers needed to learn ways to help patients maintain some independence. A 24-hour hotline can be an important resource for caregivers.


CONCLUSIONS
Family caregivers need social, volunteer, and professional support while caring for a family member at home so that their own physical and emotional health does not suffer.


CONCLUSIONS
To provide guidance and support to family caregivers, nurses should assess the needs of caregivers and tailor interventions to meet those needs. Nurses also should facilitate the development of a social, volunteer, and professional support network.
Steele
R G
RG
University of Toronto, Canada.
Fitch
M I
MI
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002170:Canada; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D017051:Hospice Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D012944:Social Support