title: [Burdens and coping strategies of informal caregivers. The perspective of informal caregivers].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Taking care of a person at the end of life at home is difficult and challenging. In a qualitative study, the burdens experienced by informal caregivers as well as their coping strategies to face these burdens were investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Narrative interviews with 25 informal caregivers were conducted. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using a constant comparative approach.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Informal caregivers feel tired and overburdened, alone and abandoned, experience grief and fear, feel helpless and experience a feeling of having lost control over their own life. To cope with these stressful emotions, they actively seek help and support, inform themselves and acquire skills and competencies, talk to others, allow themselves time off and emphasize the positive and meaningful aspects of caring for someone at home.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The burdens experienced by informal caregivers are highly subjective and depend on the coping strategies and the available resources. A main resource is the help and support provided by the informal social network.
authors.affiliation: Sottas formative works, Rue des Epouses 2, 1700, Fribourg, Schweiz. bruegger@formative-works.ch.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brügger
authors.affiliation: Sottas formative works, Rue des Epouses 2, 1700, Fribourg, Schweiz.
authors.forename: Adrienne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jaquier
authors.affiliation: Sottas formative works, Rue des Epouses 2, 1700, Fribourg, Schweiz.
authors.forename: Beat
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sottas
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005221:Fatigue / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D005791:Patient Care / Q000523:psychology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: End of life; Health services needs; Interview; Requirements; Resources