title: The voices of family caregivers of seniors with chronic conditions: a window into their experience using a qualitative design.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Family caregivers are the backbone of the healthcare system. Over time, caregiving takes a tremendous toll on the caregiver. This is particularly true for caregivers who (1) provide >21 h of care/week, and/or (2) support those experiencing depression, cognitive decline, aggressive behaviours, and life-limiting conditions requiring complex care. Many caregivers face deteriorating physical and mental health, social isolation, family conflict, and job loss. Caregivers often have little energy or time to access resources and their experiences with the healthcare system, healthcare professionals and service agencies can either buoy them through challenging times, or contribute further to their distress.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This project aimed to hear the voices of family caregivers; their challenges, struggles, joys, and motivation for persevering through hardship, as well as their recommendations regarding education, resources, and supports that might enhance their resilience.
  
  
  METHODS
  This community engagement research project utilized an ethnographic, qualitative approach involving three, 2-h focus groups that were analyzed using thematic analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Caregivers identified barriers to resilience, including demands on their time, changing roles and responsibilities, challenges of learning about medical conditions, their own emotional responses, financial strains, changing family dynamics, and personal health. Caregivers also identified several facilitators to resilience, including motivations for caregiving, sense of purpose and validation, spirituality, emotional experiences, and coping strategies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Caregivers recommended that educational opportunities, including increasing health care providers education concerning dementias, increased access to resources, system navigators, financial supports, political advocacy, and a more responsive caregiver centered system would support family caregiving.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, 2-64 Corbett Hall, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G4 Canada.
authors.forename: Suzette
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brémault-Phillips
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, University of Alberta, Suite 205 College Plaza 8215 - 112 St., Edmonton, AB T6G 2C8 Canada ; Specialized Geriatrics Program, University of Alberta, Suite 205 College Plaza 8215 - 112 St., Edmonton, AB T6G 2C8 Canada ; Alberta Health Services, Home Living, Edmonton Zone Continuing Care, 10216-124 Street, Edmonton, AB T5N 4A3 Canada ; Network of Excellence in Seniors Health and Wellness, Covenant Health, c/o Grey Nuns Community Hospital, 416 St. Marguerite Health Services Centre, 1090 Youville Drive West, Edmonton, AB T6L 0A3 Canada.
authors.forename: Jasneet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Parmar
authors.affiliation: Network of Excellence in Seniors Health and Wellness, Covenant Health, c/o Grey Nuns Community Hospital, 416 St. Marguerite Health Services Centre, 1090 Youville Drive West, Edmonton, AB T6L 0A3 Canada.
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.affiliation: Client Services and Programs, Alzheimer Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories, 10531 - Kingsway Avenue, Edmonton, AB T5H 4K1 Canada.
authors.forename: Arlene
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Huhn
authors.affiliation: Alberta Caregivers Association, 10310 - 56 St NW, Edmonton, AB T6A 2J2 Canada.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mann
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, 2J2.00 WC Mackenzie Health Sciences Centre, 8440 112 St. NW, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R7 Canada.
authors.forename: Victoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Tian
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Autism Research Centre (E209), 10230 - 111 Avenue Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, Edmonton, AB T5G 0B7 Canada.
authors.forename: Lori-Ann R
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Sacrey