title: "It just took the pressure off": The voices of Veterans' family caregivers in a participant-directed program.
abstract: The Veteran-Directed Home and Community Based Services Program (VD-HCBS) operates using a participant-direction approach, allowing Veterans to self-direct services. Only a small body of literature has explored the impact of these programs on caregivers. This study aimed to explore the experiences of caregivers in VD-HCBS. Telephone focus groups and interviews were conducted with caregivers (n = 23; 52.2% spouses; 8.7% male). Conventional content analysis revealed five categories: Coming home and staying home; Taking the pressure off; Providing security; Giving us time as a couple; and Importance of choice. Stories highlighted sources of stress and mechanisms behind stress relief and support.
authors.affiliation: a Connell School of Nursing , Boston College , Chestnut Hill , Massachusetts , USA.
authors.forename: Aimee
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Milliken
authors.affiliation: a Connell School of Nursing , Boston College , Chestnut Hill , Massachusetts , USA.
authors.forename: Ellen K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Mahoney
authors.affiliation: b School of Social Work, Boston College , Chestnut Hill , Massachusetts , USA.
authors.forename: Kevin J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Mahoney
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D066067:Military Family / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D036301:Qualitative Research; D000073278:Self-Management; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
keywords: Caregivers; Veterans; home and community based services; participant direction