Giving voice to informal caregivers of older adults.
This study focused on the experiences of informal caregivers of older adults and explored whether employment, use of home-care services, or other factors influence the health of caregivers and their ability to manage their caregiving and other responsibilities. Focus groups conducted with 26 caregivers and personal interviews with 4 caregivers identified 12 themes under 5 conceptual areas: caregiver health, relationships, independence, employment, and use of home-care services. The findings reveal that caregiving coupled with other responsibilities can have serious health effects. Participants spoke of the tenuous balance of decision-making control between caregiver and care recipient. Many caregivers expressed a desire to be included as part of the formal health-care team. Implications for nursing are discussed.
Hawranik
Pamela G
PG
Faculty of Nursing, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada. pam_hawranik@umanitoba.ca
Strain
Laurel A
LA
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003152:Community Health Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005260:Female; D005851:Geriatric Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006699:Home Care Services; D006701:Home Nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged