title: The caregiving process of the family unit caring for a frail older family member at home: a grounded theory study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the caregiving process of family units caring for a frail older family member at home.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Previous research on family caregiving has demonstrated the interdependence between individual members' health and family status and suggested the importance of support provided to the family as a unit. However, little research that could be used as the basis for nursing interventions has focused on the caregiving process of the family unit caring for a frail older family member in the community.
  
  
  METHODS
  The grounded theory approach was applied in this study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighteen families were recruited using the method of theoretical sampling. Data were collected through face-to-face semi-structured interviews. Constant comparative analysis proceeded with data collection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two core categories were identified: 'degree of routinisation of daily life' and 'degree of minimisation of competing needs within the family'. The caregiving process was classified according to the core categories into the following four phases: confusion, fluctuating disharmony, stable disharmony and stable harmony. The conditions for the routinisation and the competing needs and coping strategies of the family were also clarified.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To lead a stable family life, families caring for a frail older member try to control the competing needs among members and routinise by adopting various strategies. Nurses should support or enhance such family action and interactions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The degrees of daily life routinisation and of minimising competing needs within a family can be used to assess families caring for a frail older member. Nurses can determine the current state of the caregiving family from these two aspects and support family strategies that build daily routines and regulate their competing needs.
authors: School of Nursing, Jikei University, Tokyo, Japan. m-kita@jikei.ac.jp
authors: Motoko
authors: M
authors: Kita
authors: Keiichi
authors: K
authors: Ito
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017028:Caregivers; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000451:nursing; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly; D005851:Geriatric Nursing; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D012944:Social Support