Family caregivers emphasise patience and personal growth: a qualitative analysis from the Caregiving Transitions Study

Race Differences in Purpose in Life Among Family Caregivers: Findings From the Caregiving Transitions Study

Family caregiving may affect purpose in life, defined as the sense that life has meaning and intentionality. Few studies have compared caregivers to non-caregivers or examined the characteristics of caregivers associated with purpose in life. Using data from the Caregiving Transitions Study (n = 486), we conducted multiple linear regression analyses to test the effects of caregiver status, age, gender, social network, and physical and mental health on purpose in life. We also tested whether the effect of caregiver status differed by race and, among caregivers (n = 241), the associations between caregiving characteristics and purpose in life. Caregivers did not differ significantly from non-caregivers in purpose in life in adjusted analysis. Among caregivers, significantly greater purpose of life was observed among Black caregivers and those reporting higher positive aspects of caregiving. Future research should examine these issues longitudinally, and caregiver interventions should consider addressing purpose in life and positive aspects of caregiving.

Navigating Challenges and Coping Strategies Among Family Caregivers of Memory-Impaired Stroke Survivors in Metro Cebu, Philippines

This study explored the lived experiences of family caregivers for stroke survivors with memory impairments in Metro Cebu, Philippines, using a qualitative design. In-depth semi-structured interviews with six caregivers were analyzed using Yin's five-phase thematic analysis. Three key themes emerged: (1) Nurturing Patient Well-Being, highlighting the emotional and physical demands of caregiving; (2) Navigating the Trials of Caregiving, detailing the emotional, psychological, and financial challenges caregivers face; and (3) Altered Life Course, illustrating the lifestyle changes and coping mechanisms employed. The findings emphasize the need for structured support systems and tailored caregiving guidelines for occupational therapists to assist caregivers.

Positive Aspects of Caregiving in Familial Care for Nonagenarians and Centenarians: Findings from Hong Kong Centenarian Study

Caregiving for the fast-growing but vulnerable oldest-old population may involve distinct challenges but also gratification. We analyzed quantitative and qualitative data from family caregivers of community-dwelling older adults aged 95 or above in Hong Kong. Quantitative analysis of 143 caregivers revealed that higher age, dependence on basic activities of daily living, independence on instrumental activities of daily living, and intact hearing ability of the older adults, and absence of a domestic helper and better self-rated health of the caregivers were associated with more positive aspects of caregiving. Qualitative analysis of the 96 caregivers who mentioned at least a positive aspect from their caregiving identified three themes: acquiring caregiving skills, fulfilling family love and obligation, and preparing for graceful aging. Our findings elaborated the nature and mechanism of caregiving gains against the unique backdrop of exceptional longevity and the Chinese cultural expectations of filial piety.

Orchestrating Care: A Grounded Theory Study of Family Caregiving for Older Adults in Rural Areas

Family caregivers provide the majority of long-term care and support of older adults as they age or approach the end of life. Studies often refer to family caregivers as invisible because the American healthcare system, public policy, and society do not support or recognize their work. Family caregivers who provide care to older adults who live in rural areas face unique challenges due to the rural environment. The purpose of this study was to inductively develop a theoretical framework that explains the process of family caregiving to older adults who live at home in rural areas and require daily assistance while exploring their experiences regarding access, utilization, challenges, and effectiveness of patient healthcare services and caregiver resources in rural areas. The grounded theory method of Strauss and Corbin was used for sampling, data collection, and data analysis. Fifteen family caregivers who oversaw and/or provided care on a daily basis to an older adult living in two rural counties of New York State participated in the study. Data were collected through two semi-structured interviews with each participant, yielding 30 interviews. Findings revealed that family caregivers engaged in the process of orchestrating care by growing into caregiving, integrating technology, and utilizing networks when providing and managing caregiving. Understanding caregiving from the perspective of family caregivers engaged in the process can inform healthcare practice, healthcare education, and public policy and can support better outcomes for both older adults and their family caregivers.

Psychosocial experiences of caring by family caregivers of patients living with prostate cancer in a teaching hospital: A descriptive phenomenological study

AIM

This study explored the psychosocial experience of caregiving on the family caregiver of patients with prostate cancer in the Cape Coast metropolis of Ghana.

DESIGN

A descriptive phenomenological study was conducted through in-depth face-to-face semi-structured interviews. Twelve family caregivers of prostate cancer patients were selected through purposive sampling. Interviews were conducted until data saturation. All interviews were taped, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically.

RESULTS

The family caregiver's psychosocial experience associated with caregiving uncovered two significant themes with 13 sub-themes. 'Psychological impact' emerged as the first central theme, with anxiety, care as an obligation and feelings of inadequacy, hopelessness, uncertainty, denial and concealment as the sub-themes. The second central theme was 'Social impact' with sexual concerns, role adjustment, loss of livelihood, turmoil and reduced leisure activities emerging as sub-themes.

CONCLUSION

The findings demonstrated that caring significantly impacts the psychological and social well-being of the caregivers of prostate cancer patients. Therefore, there is a need for holistic assessment to include the psychosocial well-being of family caregivers to improve quality of life. Therefore, psychiatric nurses support family caregivers through education and psychosocial interventions to improve their quality of life and enable them to care for their loved ones more effectively.

"Been there, done that:" A grounded theory of future caregiver preparedness in former caregivers of parents living with dementia

BACKGROUND

Family caregivers offer essential support to persons living with dementia (PLWD). Providing care for more than one family member or close other across adulthood is becoming increasingly common, yet little is known about the ways that caregiving experiences shape caregiver preparedness. The current study presents a grounded theory of future caregiver preparedness in former caregivers of PLWD.

METHOD

A coding team (five coders and two auditors) used Consensual Qualitative Research and grounded theory techniques to analyze transcripts from 32 semi-structured interviews with midlife former caregivers of parents who died following advanced Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.

RESULTS

Qualitative analysis revealed two dimensions of future caregiver preparedness: caregiving confidence and caregiving insights. Narratives from caregiving experiences informed participants' descriptions of their future caregiver preparedness. Though some former caregivers described a positive (i.e., boosted or sustained) sense of caregiving confidence following care for their parents, others described a diminished (i.e., restricted or impeded) sense of confidence. Regardless of their confidence, all caregivers described specific caregiving insights related to one or more categories (i.e., caregiving self-conduct, care systems and resources, and relating with a care partner).

CONCLUSIONS

Preparedness for future caregiving following recent care for a PLWD varies: For some, past experiences appear to offer cumulative advantages in anticipating future care roles, whereas for others, past experiences may contribute to apprehension towards, or rejection of, future care roles. Entering new caregiving roles with diminished confidence may have negative consequences for caregivers' and care partners' wellbeing. Multidimensional assessment of future caregiver preparedness in former caregivers of PLWD may support development of resources for former caregivers entering new caregiving roles.