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Park T, Parillon B, Cruz-Oliver DM, Sloan DH, Reid MC, Czaja S, Adelman R, Dignam R, Phongtankuel V. Pilot Testing Educational Videos for Black Caregivers Receiving Home Hospice Care. J Hosp Palliat Nurs 2024; 26:224-230. [PMID: 38842308 DOI: 10.1097/njh.0000000000001038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Black caregivers face distinct challenges in symptom management when providing end-of-life care. Educational interventions may improve caregiver preparedness and competency by providing information on symptom management. This study pilot tested 4 culturally tailored caregiver educational videos about symptom management for Black caregivers receiving home hospice care at a large, urban, nonprofit hospice organization to determine feasibility and acceptability, along with their potential impact on caregiver outcomes. All participants (N = 10) agreed to watch the 4 videos and found the videos to be helpful; 90% (n = 9) shared that they would recommend them to other Black caregivers receiving home hospice care. Total preparedness scores increased from a mean score of 23.5 preintervention to 28.3 postintervention. Caregiver competency scores increased from 13.8 at preintervention to 14.3 at postintervention. Caregivers' comfort and knowledge scores increased from preintervention to postintervention for all 7 end-of-life topics presented in the 4 videos. This study found that it was feasible and acceptable to show Black caregivers culturally tailored educational videos related to issues regarding symptom management. Many found the videos to be helpful and the topics to be relatable. There were trends toward improvement in preparedness and competency. Future studies examining efficacy are needed to determine the impact of this intervention.
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Kian A, Sharif-Nia H, Hejazi S. The Farsi version of Caregiver Preparedness Scale in Iranian family caregivers of the older adults undergoing hemodialysis: a psychometric study. BMC Geriatr 2024; 24:512. [PMID: 38867155 PMCID: PMC11170810 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-024-05103-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Enhancing preparedness of family caregivers and support for caregiving is essential for the mutual benefit of both caregivers and the well-being of those under their care. This study aimed to translate and evaluate psychometric properties of the Caregiver Preparedness Scale among family caregivers of older adults undergoing hemodialysis. METHODS In this methodological study, 400 family caregivers of older adult patients undergoing hemodialysis enrolled to the study via convenience sampling method. The study was conducted in two stages: translation and psychometric evaluation. At first, the translation of the scale was done using Beaton et al. method. In the psychometric evaluation stage, quantitative face validity, content validity, item analysis and construct validity of the scale were evaluated. The internal consistency of the scale was assessed through the calculation of Cronbach's alpha, McDonald's omega, and average inter-item correlation coefficients. RESULTS All items had an impact score greater than 1.5. The content validity ratio and the kappa coefficient for all items were above 0.75. In the item analysis, item 2, which had a correlation with the total score of less than 0.3, was removed. Following exploratory factor analysis, only one factor composed of all items (7 items) was extracted, explaining 75.7% of the total variance. This model had acceptable fit indices in confirmatory factor analysis. Cronbach's alpha and omega of 0.95 and an average inter-item correlation of 0.75 were obtained. CONCLUSIONS The study results demonstrated that the Caregiver Preparedness Scale exhibits appropriate psychometric properties. Geriatric nurses can utilize this Scale for assessment of caregivers. This assessment can aid in decision-making regarding educational programs aimed at enhancing family caregiver preparedness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arash Kian
- Student Research Committee, Department of Nursing, Bojnurd School of Nursing, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran
| | - Hamid Sharif-Nia
- Psychosomatic Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Department of Nursing, Amol Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Sima Hejazi
- Department of Nursing, Bojnurd School of Nursing, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Shahriar Ave, Bojnurd, Iran.
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Poco LC, Malhotra C. More competent informal caregivers reduce advanced cancer patients' unplanned healthcare use and costs. Cancer Med 2024; 13:e7366. [PMID: 38872395 PMCID: PMC11176569 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.7366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with metastatic cancer experience high healthcare use and costs, most of which are unplanned. We aimed to assess whether patients with more competent informal caregivers have lower unplanned healthcare use and costs. METHODS This study used data from a prospective cohort of patients with solid metastatic cancer. Patients and their informal family caregivers were surveyed every 3 months until patients' death. Patients' unplanned healthcare use/costs were examined through hospital records. Caregivers responded to the 4-item Caregiver Competence Scale. First, in a deceased subsample of patients and their caregivers, we used patients' last 2 years of data (226 dyads) to assess the association between caregivers' competency (independent variable) and patients' unplanned healthcare use/costs (outcomes). Next, in a prospective sample of patient-caregiver dyads (up to 15 surveys), we assessed whether patients' functional well-being and psychological distress moderated the association between caregivers' competency and unplanned healthcare use/costs (311 dyads). RESULTS In the deceased subsample, during last 2 years of patients' life, caregivers' higher competency lowered the odds of patients' unplanned healthcare use [OR (CI) = 0.86 (0.75, 0.98), p = 0.03], and was associated with a significant reduction in unplanned healthcare costs [Coeff (CI) = -0.19 (-0.36, -0.01), p = 0.03]. In the prospective sample, patients' functional well-being and psychological distress moderated the association between caregivers' competency and patients' unplanned healthcare use/costs. CONCLUSION With deterioration in patients' condition and an increase in caregiving demands, improving caregivers' competency can reduce patients' unplanned healthcare use and costs. This should be further tested in future trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louisa Camille Poco
- Lien Centre for Palliative Care, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Chetna Malhotra
- Lien Centre for Palliative Care, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
- Program in Health Services and Systems Research, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
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Johansson B, Cajander Å, Ahmad A, Ohlsson-Nevo E, Fransson P, Granström B, von Essen L, Langegård U, Pettersson M, Henriksson A, Ehrsson YT. The effect of internet-administered support (carer eSupport) on preparedness for caregiving in informal caregivers of patients with head and neck cancer compared with support as usual: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. BMC Cancer 2024; 24:494. [PMID: 38637744 PMCID: PMC11025201 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-024-12273-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Informal caregivers (ICs) of patients with cancer provide essential and mainly uncompensated care. A self-perceived preparedness to care for the patient is associated with a lower caregiver burden, described as the extent to which caregiving is perceived as having adverse effects on IC functioning and well-being. ICs' well-being is associated with patient-perceived quality of care, suggesting that interventions to optimize ICs' health are essential in order to improve patient care. Head and neck cancer (HNC) is the seventh most common malignant disease in the world. The disease and its treatment have a significant negative impact on the patient's health and quality of life. Symptoms usually interfere with swallowing, food and fluid intake, breathing, speaking, and communication. ICs frequently manage patients' symptoms and side effects, especially problems related to nutrition and oral pain, without being properly prepared. Carer eSupport is an Internet-administered intervention, based on focus group discussions with ICs, developed in collaboration with ICs and healthcare professionals, tested for feasibility, and deemed feasible. This study protocol outlines the methods of investigating the effects of Carer eSupport plus support as usual (SAU) on self-reported preparedness for caregiving, caregiver burden, and well-being in the ICs of patients with HNC, compared with ICs receiving SAU only. METHODS AND ANALYSIS In this randomized controlled trial, 110 ICs of patients with HNC, undergoing radiotherapy combined with surgery and/or medical oncological treatment, will be randomized (1:1) to Carer eSupport plus SAU or SAU only. Data will be collected at baseline (before randomization), post-intervention (after 18 weeks), and 3 months after post-intervention. The primary outcome is self-reported preparedness for caregiving. Secondary outcomes are self-reported caregiver burden, anxiety, depression, and health-related quality of life. The effect of Carer eSupport plus SAU on preparedness for caregiving and secondary outcomes, compared with SAU only, will be evaluated by intention to treat analyses using linear regression models, mixed-model regression, or analysis of covariance. DISCUSSION If proven effective, Carer eSupport has the potential to significantly improve ICs' preparedness for caregiving and their wellbeing, thereby improving patient-perceived quality of care and patient wellbeing. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov; NCT06307418, registered 12.03.2024 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/search? term=NCT06307418).
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Affiliation(s)
- Birgitta Johansson
- Department of Immunology, Genetics, and Pathology, Uppsala University, Rudbecklaboratoriet, 75185, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Åsa Cajander
- Division of Visual Information and Interaction, Department of Information Technology, Uppsala University, 751 05, Uppsala, Box 337, Sweden
| | - Awais Ahmad
- Division of Visual Information and Interaction, Department of Information Technology, Uppsala University, 751 05, Uppsala, Box 337, Sweden
| | - Emma Ohlsson-Nevo
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, 701 82, Örebro, Sweden
- University Health Care Research Center, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, 701 82, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Per Fransson
- Department of Nursing, Umeå University, 901 87, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Brith Granström
- Department of Diagnostics and Intervention, Umeå University, 901 87, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Louise von Essen
- Healthcare Sciences and e-Health, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Dag Hammarskjölds väg 14B, 751 85, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ulrica Langegård
- Department of Immunology, Genetics, and Pathology, Uppsala University, Rudbecklaboratoriet, 75185, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Oncology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, 413 45, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Mona Pettersson
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, 751 22, Uppsala, Box 564, Sweden
| | - Anna Henriksson
- Physiotherapy and behavioral medicine, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, 751 22, Uppsala, Box 564, Sweden
- The School of Health, Care and Social Welfare, Mälardalen University, 721 23, Västerås, Box 883, Sweden
| | - Ylva Tiblom Ehrsson
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Section of Otorhinolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, Uppsala University, Akademiska sjukhuset, ingång 70, bv, Rudbecklaboratoriet, 75185, Uppsala, Sweden
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Norinder M, Årestedt K, Axelsson L, Grande G, Ewing G, Alvariza A. Increased preparedness for caregiving among family caregivers in specialized home care by using the Carer Support Needs Assessment Tool Intervention. Palliat Support Care 2024; 22:236-242. [PMID: 37278216 DOI: 10.1017/s1478951523000639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Family caregivers often feel insufficiently prepared for a caregiving role, experiencing challenges and demands related to care at home that may negatively affect their own quality of life. Supportive interventions have been shown to influence negative effects, but more studies are needed. Therefore, this study aims to explore potential effects of the Carer Support Needs Assessment Tool Intervention on preparedness, caregiver burden, and quality of life among Swedish family caregivers in specialized home care. METHODS The study had a pre-post intervention design and was conducted at 6 specialized home care services in Sweden. Family caregivers who received the intervention completed a questionnaire, including the Preparedness for caregiving scale, Caregiver Burden Scale, and Quality of Life in Life-Threatening Illness - Family carer version, at 2 time points, baseline and follow up, about 5 weeks later. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Wilcoxon signed-rank test. RESULTS Altogether, 33 family caregivers completed the baseline and follow-up assessment. A majority were retired (n = 26, 81%) and women (n = 19, 58%) and two-fifths had a university degree (n = 13, 41%). The family caregivers had significantly increased their preparedness for caregiving between the baseline and follow-up assessment (Mdn = 18 vs. 20, p = 0.002). No significant changes were found on caregiver burden or quality of life. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS The results add to knowledge regarding the Carer Support Needs Assessment Tool Intervention's potential to improve family caregiver outcomes. Findings suggest that the intervention may be used to improve the preparedness for caregiving and support among family caregivers in specialized home care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Norinder
- Department of Health Care Sciences, Palliative Research Centre, Marie Cederschiöld University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Capio Palliative Care, Dalen Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kristofer Årestedt
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
- Department of Research, Region Kalmar County, Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Lena Axelsson
- Department of Nursing Science, Sophiahemmet University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Gunn Grande
- Division of Nursing, Midwifery & Social Care, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Gail Ewing
- Centre for Family Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Anette Alvariza
- Department of Health Care Sciences, Palliative Research Centre, Marie Cederschiöld University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Research and Development Unit/Palliative Care, Stockholms Sjukhem, Stockholm, Sweden
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Nysaeter TM, Olsson C, Sandsdalen T, Hov R, Larsson M. Family caregivers' preferences for support when caring for a family member with cancer in late palliative phase who wish to die at home - a grounded theory study. BMC Palliat Care 2024; 23:15. [PMID: 38212707 PMCID: PMC10782637 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-024-01350-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Family caregivers are essential in end-of-life care for cancer patients who wish to die at home. The knowledge is still limited regarding family caregivers needs and preferences for support and whether the preferences change during the patient's illness trajectory. Therefore, the aim was to explore family caregivers' preferences for support from home care services over time when caring for a family member with cancer at the end of life who wished to die at home. METHODS A qualitative method was applied according to Grounded Theory. Data was collected longitudinally over the illness trajectory by means of repeated individual interviews (n = 22) with adult family caregivers (n = 11). Sampling, data collection and data analysis were undertaken simultaneously in line with the constant comparative method. RESULTS The findings are captured in the core category "hold out in duty and love". The categories "having control and readiness for action" and "being involved in care" describe the family caregivers' preferences for being prepared and able to handle procedures, medical treatment and care, and to be involved by the healthcare personnel in the patient's care and decision making. The categories "being seen and confirmed" and "having a respite" describe family caregivers' preferences for support according to their own needs to be able to persevere in the situation. CONCLUSION Despite deterioration in the patient's illness and the increasing responsibility family caregiver struggle to hold out and focus on being in the present. Over time together with deterioration in the patient's illness and changes in the situation, they expressed a need for more intense and extensive support from the home care services. To meet the family caregivers' preferences for support a systematic implementation of a person-centred care model and multicomponent psycho- educational interventions performed by nurses can be proposed. Moreover, we suggest developing a tool based on the conceptual model generated in this study to identify and map family caregivers' needs and preferences for support. Such a tool can facilitate communication and ensure person-centred interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toril Merete Nysaeter
- Department of Health and Nursing Sciences, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Elverum, 2400, Norway.
| | - Cecilia Olsson
- Department of Health Sciences, Karlstad University SE, Karlstad, Sweden
- Department of Bachelor Education in Nursing, Lovisenberg Diaconal University College, Oslo, Norway
| | - Tuva Sandsdalen
- Department of Health and Nursing Sciences, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Elverum, 2400, Norway
| | - Reidun Hov
- Department of Health and Nursing Sciences, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Elverum, 2400, Norway
- Centre for Development of Institutional and Home Care Services (USHT), Inland (Hedmark), Hamar, Norway
| | - Maria Larsson
- Department of Health Sciences, Karlstad University SE, Karlstad, Sweden
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Jacob D, Muliira JK, Lazarus ER, Roslin H. Predictors of Quality of Life Among Omani Family Caregivers of Patients With Traumatic Brain Injury. Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J 2023; 23:463-471. [PMID: 38090238 PMCID: PMC10712391 DOI: 10.18295/squmj.5.2023.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives This study aimed to explore the quality of life (QoL) of Omani family caregivers (FCs) of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). After acute care, the burden of caring for patients with TBI is mainly shouldered by FCs. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted at Khoula Hospital, Muscat, Oman. Patient data were collected at the time of discharge and 8 weeks post-discharge between April 2019 and December 2021. The SF-12 General Health Survey and Preparedness for Caregiving scale were used to measure the caregivers' QoL and preparedness, respectively. The Disability Rating and TBI Symptom scales were used to measure the patients' disability and symptoms, respectively. Results A total of 36 FCs and patients with TBI were recruited. Most caregivers were the parent (41.7%) or child (27.8%) of the patient with TBI. Overall, the caregivers had good physical QoL (PQoL) and mental health QoL (MHQoL) but low caregiving preparedness at the time of discharge. At 8 weeks post-discharge, there were significant improvements in caregiving preparedness (P <0.01) and patient disability (P <0.05) but a depreciation in caregivers' MHQoL (P <0.05), with no change in their PQoL. The caregiver's employment status and the severity of the patient's sleep and mood problems were modifiable predictors of the caregivers' PQoL. Caregiver's preparedness, the patient's inability to live independently, and the severity of the patient's mood and behavioural problems were predictors of caregivers' MHQoL. Conclusion Caring for patients with TBI negatively impacts the QoL of Omani FCs; this correlates with the physical, emotional, and mental health symptoms of the patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devakirubai Jacob
- Department of Adult Health & Critical Care, College of Nursing, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
| | | | - Eilean R. Lazarus
- Department of Adult Health & Critical Care, College of Nursing, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
| | - Hema Roslin
- Department of Adult Health & Critical Care, College of Nursing, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
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Demir Avci Y, Gözüm S. Effects of Transitional Care Model-Based Interventions for Stroke Patients and Caregivers on Caregivers' Competence and Patient Outcomes: Randomized Controlled Trial. Comput Inform Nurs 2023; 41:805-814. [PMID: 36749850 DOI: 10.1097/cin.0000000000000991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
This study evaluated the effectiveness of the Transitional Care Model Stroke Turkey for stroke patients and caregivers as regards the competence of caregivers and patient outcomes. It is a parallel-group, assessor-blinded monocenter conducted with 126 participants in total (66 intervention included 33 stroke patients and 33 caregivers; 60 control groups included 30 stroke patients and 30 caregivers), between March and August 2018. The Transitional Care Model Stroke Turkey program lasts for 13 to 20 weeks. It includes a 12-week follow-up after discharge, a minimum of three hospital visits, one home visit, minimum 18 phone calls, and Web-based training. The intervention group exhibited better caregiver competence (13.48 ± 2.31), preparation for care (28.48 ± 4.74), and e-health literacy (34.42 ± 4.74) than the control group (respectively, 11.37 ± 2.48, 20.93 ± 7.10, 26.93 ± 8.53) ( P < .001). Emotional exhaustion and depersonalization increased in the control group, but remained the same in the intervention group. Personal accomplishment decreased in the intervention group, unlike in the control group. Within 12 weeks of discharge, five patients from the intervention group and seven patients from the control group were rehospitalized. There was no statistical difference between stroke patients in either group in terms of having previously used home healthcare services. The Transitional Care Model Stroke Turkey is a practical model for stroke patients transitioning from hospital to home.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasemin Demir Avci
- Author Affiliations: Department of Public Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
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Uhm KE, Jung H, Woo MW, Kwon HE, Oh-Park M, Lee BR, Kim EJ, Kim JH, Lee SA, Lee J. Influence of preparedness on caregiver burden, depression, and quality of life in caregivers of people with disabilities. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1153588. [PMID: 37564425 PMCID: PMC10409988 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1153588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Caregiver preparedness is defined as the perceived preparation of caregivers to care for the physical and emotional needs of the patient. Purpose This study investigated caregiver preparedness and its influences on caregiver burden, depression, and quality of life (QoL) in caregivers of individuals with disabilities. Methods We conducted a multicenter cross-sectional survey study on caregivers caring for patients with disabilities. Sociodemographic characteristics were collected via questionnaires. The Preparedness for Caregiving Scale (PCS), Burden Interview (BI), Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), and EuroQol-Visual Analogue Scale (EQ-VAS) were administered. Results A total of 151 caregivers were enrolled. The mean age of caregivers was 53.7 ± 12.4 years, and 80.8% were female. The majority of participants were the main caregivers of patients with stroke, spinal cord injury, or traumatic brain injury. The mean PCS score was 2.1 ± 0.9, demonstrating significant relationships with BI (r = -0.512, p < 0.001), CES-D (r = -0.622, p < 0.001), and EQ-VAS (r = 0.441, p < 0.001). The CES-D was significantly associated with the PCS after controlling other variables. However, PCS did not show any correlation with the duration of caregiving or amount of time spent per day on caregiving. Discussion The clinical implications of this study are that higher caregiver preparedness is a predictor of less caregiver burden and depression, and better QoL. However, preparedness did not increase as the duration or time spent on caregiving was extended. Therefore, efforts to enhance the caregivers' preparedness are required to reduce caregiver burden and improve health outcomes for both caregivers and patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyeong Eun Uhm
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Konkuk University Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Heeyoune Jung
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, National Traffic Injury Rehabilitation Hospital, Yangpyeong, Republic of Korea
| | - Min Woo Woo
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Konkuk University Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyo Eun Kwon
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Konkuk University Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Mooyeon Oh-Park
- Burke Rehabilitation Hospital, Montefiore Health System, White Plains, NY, United States
| | - Bo Ram Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, Cheil Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Joo Kim
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, National Rehabilitation Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung Hwan Kim
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, National Rehabilitation Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Ah Lee
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jongmin Lee
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Konkuk University Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Häger Tibell L, Årestedt K, Holm M, Wallin V, Steineck G, Hudson P, Kreicbergs U, Alvariza A. Preparedness for caregiving and preparedness for death: Associations and modifiable thereafter factors among family caregivers of patients with advanced cancer in specialized home care. DEATH STUDIES 2023; 48:407-416. [PMID: 37441803 DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2023.2231388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to (1) explore associations between preparedness for caregiving and preparedness for death among family caregivers of patients with advanced cancer and (2) explore modifiable preparedness factors, such as communication and support. Data was derived from a baseline questionnaire collected in specialized home care. The questionnaire included socio-demographics, the Preparedness for Caregiving Scale, and single items addressing preparedness for death, received support and communication about incurable illness. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and Spearman correlations. Altogether 39 family caregivers participated. A significant association was found between preparedness for caregiving and preparedness for death. Received support and communication about the illness was associated with higher levels of preparedness for caregiving and death. This study contributes to evidence on the association between preparedness for caregiving and death, but also that communication and support employed by healthcare professionals could improve family caregiver preparedness and wellbeing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Häger Tibell
- The Department of Health Care Science/Palliative Research Centre, Marie Cederschiöld University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Tema Cancer, BES: Breast-Endocrine Tumours and Sarcoma, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kristofer Årestedt
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
- Department of Research, Region Kalmar County, Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Maja Holm
- The Department of Health Care Science/Palliative Research Centre, Marie Cederschiöld University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Nursing Science, Sophiahemmet University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Viktoria Wallin
- The Department of Health Care Science/Palliative Research Centre, Marie Cederschiöld University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Gunnar Steineck
- Department of Clinical Cancer Epidemiology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Division of Clinical Cancer Epidemiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Peter Hudson
- Centre for Palliative Care, St Vincent´s Hospital and The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Vrije University Brussels, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ulrika Kreicbergs
- The Department of Health Care Science/Palliative Research Centre, Marie Cederschiöld University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anette Alvariza
- Research and Development-Unit/Palliative Care, Stockholms Sjukhem, Stockholm, Sweden
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Momeni P, Årestedt K, Alvariza A, Winnberg E, Goliath I, Kneck Å, Leksell J, Ewertzon M. A survey study of family members' encounters with healthcare services within the care of older people, psychiatric care, palliative care and diabetes care. Scand J Caring Sci 2022; 36:1228-1240. [PMID: 35808909 PMCID: PMC9796367 DOI: 10.1111/scs.13096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to describe and compare family members' experiences of approach in encounters with healthcare professionals and possible feelings of alienation in the professional care within four care contexts: the care of older people, psychiatric care, palliative care and diabetes care. The design was an explorative cross-sectional survey study. Data were collected in Sweden using the Family Involvement and Alienation Questionnaire-Revised (FIAQ-R). It measures family members' experiences of the healthcare professionals' approach and the family members' feeling of alienation from the provision of professional care. A total of 1047 questionnaires were distributed to family members using convenient sampling method, of which 294 were included. Data were analysed using rank-based, non-parametric statistical methods. The results indicated that most respondents experienced a positive actual approach from the healthcare professionals. Many participants rated the importance of approach at a higher level than their actual experience. Participants in the context of diabetes care reported a more negative actual approach from the healthcare professionals than did participants in the other contexts and considered the healthcare professionals' approach towards them as being less important. The results for the entire group indicated that the participants felt a low level of alienation from the professional care. Participants in the context of the care of older people reported significantly lower level of feeling of being alienated than did participants in the contexts of psychiatric care and diabetes care. The differences between participants in diabetes care and other care contexts can possibly be explained by a more fully implemented self-care approach among the patients in diabetes care than in the other care contexts. Even though the results are quite positive, it is still important that nurses consider a family-centred approach to better adapt to the needs of both the family members and the patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pardis Momeni
- Department of Health Care SciencesErsta Sköndal Bräcke University CollegeStockholmSweden
| | - Kristofer Årestedt
- Faculty of Health and Life SciencesLinnaeus UniversityKalmarSweden,Department of ResearchRegion Kalmar CountyKalmarSweden
| | - Anette Alvariza
- Department of Health Care SciencesErsta Sköndal Bräcke University CollegeStockholmSweden,Capio Palliative CareDalen HospitalStockholmSweden
| | - Elisabeth Winnberg
- Department of Health Care SciencesErsta Sköndal Bräcke University CollegeStockholmSweden
| | - Ida Goliath
- Stockholm Gerontology Research CenterStockholmSweden
| | - Åsa Kneck
- Department of Health Care SciencesErsta Sköndal Bräcke University CollegeStockholmSweden
| | - Janeth Leksell
- Department of Medical SciencesUppsala UniversityUppsalaSweden
| | - Mats Ewertzon
- Department of Health Care SciencesErsta Sköndal Bräcke University CollegeStockholmSweden,Swedish Family Care Competence CenterKalmarSweden
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12
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Langegård U, Cajander Å, Carlsson M, von Essen L, Ahmad A, Laurell G, Tiblom Ehrsson Y, Johansson B. Internet-based support for informal caregivers to individuals with head and neck cancer (Carer eSupport): a study protocol for the development and feasibility testing of a complex online intervention. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e057442. [PMID: 35623759 PMCID: PMC9150150 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-057442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION It is strongly recommended that randomised controlled trials are preceded with an exploration of the needs of the target population and feasibility testing of the intervention. The present study protocol is set out to describe these steps in the development of a complex intervention.The past decades' transition of care from inpatient to outpatient settings has increased the complexity of caregivers' responsibilities, which they may not be prepared for. There is a need to support informal caregivers (ICs) to prepare them for caregiving and decrease the caregiver burden. The main aim of this study is to describe the development of an internet-based intervention (Carer eSupport) to improve ICs' ability to support individuals with head and neck cancer and to describe the testing of the feasibility and acceptability of Carer eSupport. METHODS AND ANALYSIS This is a multicentre study involving the ear, nose and throat clinics and the oncology and radiotherapy clinics at three university hospitals. The study protocol comprises two phases, development and feasibility testing, using the Medical Research Council framework for developing a complex intervention. Carer eSupport will be based on the results from focus group discussions with ICs and healthcare professionals (planned for n=6-8 in respective groups) and scientific evidence, the Social Cognitive Theory and the Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology. The feasibility testing will include 30 ICs who will have access to Carer eSupport for 1 month. The feasibility testing will be evaluated with a mixed-method design. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION All procedures have been approved by the Ethics Committee at Uppsala University (Dnr: 2020-04650). Informed consent will be obtained before enrolment of patients, their ICs and healthcare staff. The feasibility testing is registered at Clinicaltrials.gov (Identifier: NCT05028452). Findings will be disseminated in peer-reviewed journal publications. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER Clinicaltrials.gov (Identifier: NCT05028452).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrica Langegård
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Experimental and Clinical Oncology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Åsa Cajander
- Department of Information Technology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Maria Carlsson
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Louise von Essen
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Healthcare Sciences and e-Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Awais Ahmad
- Department of Information Technology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Göran Laurell
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Section of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ylva Tiblom Ehrsson
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Section of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Birgitta Johansson
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Experimental and Clinical Oncology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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13
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Gutierrez-Baena B, Romero-Grimaldi C. Predictive model for the preparedness level of the family caregiver. Int J Nurs Pract 2022; 28:e13057. [PMID: 35388583 PMCID: PMC9285821 DOI: 10.1111/ijn.13057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2021] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Background Many caregivers are insufficiently prepared, and little is known about measures that can be employed to enhance their preparedness. Aim The aim of this study was to explore the factors associated with caregiver preparedness and establish a predictive model including the relationship between preparedness, burden, resilience and anxiety. Design A cross‐sectional design was used. Methods The sample included 172 family caregivers who were selected from one private hospital and daytime nursing centres. Caregivers were recruited from 2018 to 2019; they completed assessments for caregiver preparedness, anxiety, resilience and burden. A multiple linear regression analysis was performed to identify the factors associated with preparedness. Results Preparedness was significantly associated with high levels of resilience and a low level of burden, while it was not associated with anxiety. Caregivers' gender, experience and cohabitation status were the main predictors. Resilience is an explanatory factor for caregiver preparedness in the predictive model. Conclusion The demographic variables related to preparedness can be used to guide efforts to meet the needs of vulnerable caregivers. A caregiver's preparedness depends on their level of burden and resilience. Nursing interventions focused on these aspects could make the caregiver's role easier and improve the quality of care provided. What is already known about this topic?
Many caregivers are inadequately prepared for this role, and ensuring adequate preparedness is important for family caregivers. Preparedness and factors predictive of this in Spanish family caregivers have not been well‐documented. Resilience, burden and anxiety affect caregivers, but the degree to which they influence caregivers' preparation levels is unknown.
What is the contribution of this paper?
Specific factors influence the preparedness of family caregivers. Men and caregivers who do not cohabit in the same household with the care‐dependent person may present greater deficits in preparedness. Moreover, poor health and lack of experience in caring can result in inadequate caregiving performance. Readiness, resilience and burden are significantly related, and the best predictor of family caregivers' preparedness is resilience. Resilience leads to greater preparedness in caregivers, and better‐prepared caregivers experience a lighter burden.
What are the implications of this paper?
Knowing the factors associated with preparedness in advance will allow health‐care professionals to prevent deficits in vulnerable family caregivers. Resilience is a decisive factor which prevents negative consequences such as low preparedness. A resilient coping style can diminish the burden and promote successful adaptation in caregivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belen Gutierrez-Baena
- Nursing Faculty Salus Infirmorum, University of Cadiz, Cadiz, Spain.,Hospital Viamed Bahia de Cádiz, Chiclana de la Frontera, Cadiz, Spain
| | - Carmen Romero-Grimaldi
- Nursing Faculty Salus Infirmorum, University of Cadiz, Cadiz, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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14
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DEMİR AVCI Y, GÖZÜM S. Adaptation and Psychometric Testing of the Turkish Caregiving Competence Scale. BEZMIALEM SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.14235/bas.galenos.2020.4152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
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15
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Hancock DW, Czaja S, Schulz R. The Role of Preparedness for Caregiving on the Relationship Between Caregiver Distress and Potentially Harmful Behaviors. Am J Alzheimers Dis Other Demen 2022; 37:15333175221141552. [PMID: 36427169 PMCID: PMC10581146 DOI: 10.1177/15333175221141552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
This work extends research suggesting a link between indicators of distress among informal caregivers (CG) (e.g., depression and burden), and potentially harmful behaviors (PHB), including feeling like yelling or screaming at the care recipient (CR). We tested three hypotheses regarding the role of a novel predictor, CG preparedness for caregiving, which were: 1) a direct effect between CG preparedness and PHB, 2) CG distress mediates the relationship between the direct effect of CG preparedness on PHB, and finally, 3) CG preparedness is only related to PHB through their shared associations with indicators of caregiver distress, an indirect effects model. Examining two indicators of PHB and CG depression and CG burden, results supported the indirect effects model. Higher CG preparedness was associated with lower CG distress, which in turn was associated with lower risk of PHB. These findings highlight the importance of CG preparedness as a target for caregiver intervention research.
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Affiliation(s)
- David W. Hancock
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sara Czaja
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
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16
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Shen E, Rozema EJ, Haupt EC, Henry M, Scholle SH, Wang SE, Lynn J, Mularski RA, Nguyen HQ. Assessing the concurrent validity of days alive and at home metric. J Am Geriatr Soc 2021; 70:2630-2637. [PMID: 34676885 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.17506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Most patients living with serious illness value spending time at home. Emerging data suggest that days alive and at home (DAH) may be a useful metric, however more research is needed. We aimed to assess the concurrent validity of DAH with respect to clinically significant changes in patient- and caregiver-reported outcomes (PROs). METHODS We drew data from a study that compared two models of home-based palliative care among seriously ill patients and their caregivers in two Kaiser Permanente regions (Southern California and Northwest). We included participants aged 18 years or older (n = 3533) and corresponding caregivers (n = 463). We categorized patients and caregivers into three groups based on whether symptom burden (Edmonton Symptom Assessment System, ESAS) or caregiving preparedness (Preparedness for Caregiving Scale, CPS) showed improvements, deterioration, or no change from baseline to 1 month later. We measured DAH across four time windows: 30, 60, 90, and 180 days, after admission to home palliative care. We used two-way ANOVA to compare DAH across the PRO groups. RESULTS Adjusted pairwise comparisons showed that DAH was highest for patients whose ESAS scores improved or did not change compared with those with worsening symptoms. Although the mean differences ranged from less than a day to about 3 weeks, none exceeded 0.3 standard deviations. ESAS change scores had weak negative correlations (r = -0.11 to -0.21) with DAH measures. CPS change scores also showed weak, positive correlations (r = 0.23-0.24) with DAH measures. CONCLUSION DAH measures are associated, albeit weakly, with clinically important improvement or maintenance of patient symptom burden in a diverse, seriously ill population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernest Shen
- Department of Research and Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, California, USA
| | - Emily J Rozema
- Department of Research and Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, California, USA
| | - Eric C Haupt
- Department of Research and Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, California, USA
| | | | - Sarah H Scholle
- National Committee for Quality Assurance, NCQA, Washington DC, USA
| | - Susan E Wang
- Kaiser Permanente Southern California, West Los Angeles Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | | | - Richard A Mularski
- Kaiser Permanente Northwest, Center for Health Research, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Huong Q Nguyen
- Department of Research and Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, California, USA
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The Influence of Caregiver Preparedness on Caregiver Contributions to Self-care in Heart Failure and the Mediating Role of Caregiver Confidence. J Cardiovasc Nurs 2021; 35:243-252. [PMID: 32084078 DOI: 10.1097/jcn.0000000000000632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Caregiver contributions (CC) to heart failure (HF) self-care maintenance (ie, CC to maintaining HF stability) and management (ie, CC to dealing with HF signs and symptoms) improve patient outcomes, but it is unknown whether caregiver preparedness influences CC to self-care and whether caregiver confidence mediates this process. OBJECTIVES We evaluated the influence of caregiver preparedness on CC to HF self-care maintenance and management and the mediating role of caregiver confidence. METHODS This is a secondary analysis of the MOTIVATE-HF study. Patients were 18 years or older, with a diagnosis of HF in New York Heart Association classes II to IV, who had insufficient self-care and did not have severe cognitive impairment. Patients' informal caregivers were those people inside or outside the family who gave most of the informal care to the patients. We used the Caregiver Preparedness Scale and the Caregiver Contribution to Self-Care of HF Index. We tested a path analysis model and the indirect effects. RESULTS Caregivers (n = 323) were 55 (SD, 15) years old on average and predominantly female (77%). The path analysis showed that higher scores in caregiver preparedness were associated with higher scores in caregiver confidence. In turn, higher caregiver confidence was associated with higher CC to self-care maintenance and management. Caregiver confidence mediated the association between caregiver preparedness and CC to self-care maintenance and management. CONCLUSIONS Caregiver confidence may play a role in CC to self-care. Interventions to improve CC to HF self-care should not only be focused on improving caregiver preparedness but also should consider the role of caregiver confidence.
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18
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Preparedness for family caregiving prior to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Palliat Support Care 2021; 20:519-526. [DOI: 10.1017/s1478951521001346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Objective
Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is a curative treatment associated with high morbidity and mortality. It is often necessary for family caregivers to become highly involved in the care, especially when patients return home after a long period of inpatient care. Family caregivers’ preparedness for the tasks and demands of the caregiving role prior to allo-HSCT might help them during this distressing time. The aim of this study was to explore whether demographic factors are associated with preparedness for caregiving prior to allo-HSCT and if such preparedness for caregiving is associated with caregiver outcomes in terms of caregiver burden, anxiety/depression, competence, self-efficacy, and general health among family caregivers.
Method
This correlational cross-sectional study included 86 family caregivers of patients to undergo allo-HSCT, who completed a self-administered questionnaire on preparedness, caregiver burden, anxiety/depression, competence, self-efficacy, and general health. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression models (linear and ordinal) were used to analyze the data.
Results
Family caregivers with a higher education and those who were the patient's partner were significantly associated with a higher level of preparedness for caregiving, while gender and age were not significant. Higher preparedness was significantly associated with higher competence and self-efficacy and lower symptoms of depression, even after the model was adjusted for education, relationship to the patient, gender, and age but not for anxiety or caregiver burden. Higher levels of preparedness were also significantly associated with better general health.
Significance of results
A higher level of preparedness for caregiving prior to allo-HSCT was associated with better family caregiver outcomes. Assessing family caregivers prior to allo-HSCT to identify those with insufficient preparedness might enable the provision of individually tailored psycho-educational support to help them cope with their caregiving role and prevent potential negative consequences.
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Hill AM, Moorin R, Slatyer S, Bryant C, Hill K, Waldron N, Aoun S, Kamdar A, Grealish L, Reberger C, Jones C, Bronson M, Bulsara MK, Maher S, Claverie T, Moyle W. Evaluating the provision of Further Enabling Care at Home (FECH+) for informal caregivers of older adults discharged home from hospital: protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e046600. [PMID: 34155075 PMCID: PMC8217916 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION There are personal and societal benefits from caregiving; however, caregiving can jeopardise caregivers' health. The Further Enabling Care at Home (FECH+) programme provides structured nurse support, through telephone outreach, to informal caregivers of older adults following discharge from acute hospital care to home. The trial aims to evaluate the efficacy of the FECH+ programme on caregivers' health-related quality of life (HRQOL) after care recipients' hospital discharge. METHODS AND ANALYSIS A multisite, parallel-group, randomised controlled trial with blinded baseline and outcome assessment and intention-to-treat analysis, adhering to Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials guidelines will be conducted. Participants (N=925 dyads) comprising informal home caregiver (18 years or older) and care recipient (70 years or older) will be recruited when the care recipient is discharged from hospital. Caregivers of patients discharged from wards in three hospitals in Australia (one in Western Australia and two in Queensland) are eligible for inclusion. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of the two groups. The intervention group receive the FECH+ programme, which provides structured support and problem-solving for the caregiver after the care recipient's discharge, in addition to usual care. The control group receives usual care. The programme is delivered by a registered nurse and comprises six 30-45 min telephone support sessions over 6 months. The primary outcome is caregivers' HRQOL measured using the Assessment of Quality of Life-eight dimensions. Secondary outcomes include caregiver preparedness, strain and distress and use of healthcare services. Changes in HRQOL between groups will be compared using a mixed regression model that accounts for the correlation between repeated measurements. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Participants will provide written informed consent. Ethics approvals have been obtained from Sir Charles Gairdner and Osborne Park Health Care Group, Curtin University, Griffith University, Gold Coast Health Service and government health data linkage services. Findings will be disseminated through presentations, peer-reviewed journals and conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER ACTRN12620000060943.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Marie Hill
- School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Rachael Moorin
- School of Public Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Susan Slatyer
- Discipline of School of Nursing, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Christina Bryant
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Keith Hill
- Rehabilitation Ageing and Independent Living (RAIL) Research Centre, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Samar Aoun
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Ami Kamdar
- Department of General Medicine, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Laurie Grealish
- Gold Coast Hospital and Health Services, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
- School of Nursing and Midwifery Nathan and Gold Coast, Griffith University, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Caroline Reberger
- Department of Rehabilitation and Aged Care, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Cindy Jones
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - Mary Bronson
- Medical Division, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Max K Bulsara
- Institute for Health Research, The University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Sean Maher
- Department of Rehabilitation and Aged Care, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Tracey Claverie
- Gold Coast Hospital and Health Services, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - Wendy Moyle
- School of Nursing and Midwifery Nathan and Gold Coast, Griffith University, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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Role of the Infusion Nurse: Caring for the Family/Lay Caregiver of Older Adults. JOURNAL OF INFUSION NURSING 2021; 43:255-261. [PMID: 32881812 DOI: 10.1097/nan.0000000000000384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Approximately 43 500 000 family caregivers provide unpaid care to an adult or child. Most caregivers provide care to older adults, most often parents. Caregivers are often ill-prepared to assist their loved ones, creating or increasing caregiving burden and/or risk of compassion fatigue, potentially leading to critical "caregiving tipping points." Identifying families who are experiencing increased burden or risk of compassion fatigue is a skill that nurses, including infusion nurses, who have unique entrée into the caregiving situation, should develop. The purpose of this article is to describe "impending" tipping points before they occur and to offer solutions for how nurses can help caregiving families identify them and access additional supportive services.
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21
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Decadt I, Laenen A, Celus J, Geyskens S, Vansteenlandt H, Coolbrandt A. Caregiver distress and quality of life in primary caregivers of oncology patients in active treatment and follow-up. Eur J Cancer Care (Engl) 2021; 30:e13399. [PMID: 33393137 DOI: 10.1111/ecc.13399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 12/12/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE As the number of informal caregivers and their caregiving responsibilities increase, this study aims at evaluating caregiver distress, quality of life (QoL) and their predictors in informal caregivers of cancer patients during active treatment and follow-up. METHODS This cross-sectional descriptive study targeted primary caregivers of patients with different cancer diagnoses. Caregiver-reported outcomes were measured by the Caregiver Risk Screen (CRS), Distress Thermometer (DT) and Caregiver Quality of Life Index-Cancer (CQOLC). RESULTS Caregivers (n = 1580) experienced a low-to-moderate risk of caregiver distress and a moderate QoL during both treatment and follow-up. About 13% reported a high caregiver risk and 20% reported severe distress. There was a strong and significant correlation between caregiver distress and caregivers' QoL (0.793). Predictive factors for higher distress and poorer QoL were: fewer emotional and practical resources, being female, non-spousal relationship or not living together (p < 0.05). Caregivers of patients with head-and-neck, skin, lung and brain cancers reported the highest distress and lowest QoL. CONCLUSION Caregiver distress is highly variable, but a minority of caregivers is at high risk for caregiver distress. Professional caregivers play an important role at supporting caregivers and detecting high-risk caregivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ine Decadt
- Department of Oncology Nursing, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Annouschka Laenen
- Leuven Biostatistics and Statistical Bioinformatics Centre, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Janne Celus
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Academic Centre for Nursing and Midwifery, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Shelly Geyskens
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Academic Centre for Nursing and Midwifery, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Hannah Vansteenlandt
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Academic Centre for Nursing and Midwifery, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Annemarie Coolbrandt
- Department of Oncology Nursing, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Academic Centre for Nursing and Midwifery, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Gutierrez‐Baena B, Romero‐Grimaldi C. Development and psychometric testing of the Spanish version of the Caregiver Preparedness Scale. Nurs Open 2020; 8:1183-1193. [PMID: 33340272 PMCID: PMC8046102 DOI: 10.1002/nop2.732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM To psychometrically test the Spanish version of the Caregiver Preparedness Scale (CPS) and document the preparedness level of caregivers. DESIGN A descriptive and validation study. METHOD Purposive sampling method was used to select 171 family caregivers Spain. The scale was cross-culturally adapted through a process that included translation, comparison with versions in other languages and back-translation, review, pre-testing and validity, and reliability tests. RESULTS The Spanish family caregivers are mainly female (79%) and married (75%). The Spanish version of the CPS presents changes with respect to the original. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the single-factor model. Analysis of internal consistency yielded a Cronbach's α of 0.89. Significant correlations (p < .01) with other scales supported convergent validity. A descriptive analysis of the validated scale showed average levels of preparation (2.16 out of 4). Caregivers felt better prepared to attend to the patient's physical needs than emotional or spiritual needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belen Gutierrez‐Baena
- Vocational training center “María de Madariaga”CádizSpain
- Hospital “Viamed Bahía de Cádiz,” Chiclana de la FronteraCádizSpain
| | - Carmen Romero‐Grimaldi
- Nursing Faculty “Salus Infirmorum”University of CadizCádizSpain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III.MadridSpain
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Kisch AM, Bergkvist K, Alvariza A, Årestedt K, Winterling J. Family caregivers' support needs during allo-HSCT-a longitudinal study. Support Care Cancer 2020; 29:3347-3356. [PMID: 33125539 PMCID: PMC8062346 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-020-05853-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The study aimed to explore family caregivers' support needs prior to allo-HSCT, how these change over time and whether they are associated with demographic factors and caregiver outcome. METHODS This longitudinal repeated measure study included 87 family caregivers of allo-HSCT recipients: 63% were partners, 74% women, 65% lived with the recipient, and their mean age was 54 years. They completed the 14-item Carer Support Needs Assessment Tool (CSNAT) and caregiver outcome measures (caregiver burden, anxiety, depression, preparedness for caregiving and general health) prior to allo-HSCT and 3, 6 and 16 weeks later. RESULTS The two top support needs prior to allo-HSCT were 'knowing what to expect in the future' (79%) and 'dealing with your own feelings' (70%). Several support needs were associated with younger age and not being a partner, while higher needs implied worse caregiver outcomes for at least one of the outcomes prior to transplantation. Most support needs remained the same at the last follow-up. CONCLUSION The findings that high support needs are often associated with worse caregiver outcomes and most support needs do not diminish over time indicate that more attention should be placed on the situation of family caregivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annika M Kisch
- Haematology Department, Lund University Hospital, Lund, Sweden. .,Institute of Health Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
| | - Karin Bergkvist
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Sophiahemmet University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anette Alvariza
- Department of Health Care Sciences/Palliative Research Centre, Ersta Sköndal Bräcke University College, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kristofer Årestedt
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden.,The Research Section, Region Kalmar County, Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Jeanette Winterling
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Medical Unit Hematology, Theme Cancer, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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Samoil D, Abdelmutti N, Gallagher LO, Jivraj N, Quartey NK, Tinker L, Giuliani M, Trang A, Ferguson SE, Papadakos J. Evaluating the effect of a group pre-treatment chemotherapy psycho-education session for chemotherapy-naive gynecologic cancer patients and their caregivers. Gynecol Oncol 2020; 160:234-243. [PMID: 33077261 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2020.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective was to evaluate the effects of a pre-chemotherapy education class on chemotherapy-naïve patients diagnosed with gynecologic cancer and their informal caregivers. METHODS A prospective cohort study was conducted at a cancer centre in Toronto, Canada. All women diagnosed with gynecologic cancer, who were scheduled to receive chemotherapy treatment, and their caregivers were invited to attend the GyneChemo class, newly introduced as the centre's standard of care. Consenting attendees were asked to complete pre-and post-class survey measures assessing anxiety, self-efficacy, information needs, preparedness to begin chemotherapy treatment, and satisfaction with the class. RESULTS Between September 2014 to September 2016, 642 individuals attended the GyneChemo class. 75 patients and 64 caregivers completed both pre- and post-class measures. Over 80% of participants agreed that the class was beneficial, specific to their needs, and administered in an appropriate setting. Significant increases in patient and caregiver self-efficacy (p < 0.001) and preparedness to begin chemotherapy treatment (p < 0.001) were found following class completion. Significant differences in patient's anxiety scores were found, with patients who reported an annual household income of <$25,000 experiencing increased anxiety (MD = +5.33) and patients reporting an income of $25,000-$75,000 reporting decreased anxiety (MD = -4.75) following class completion (p = 0.034). No significant difference in the average pre-post caregiver anxiety score (p = 0.207) was found. CONCLUSION This educational model provides patients and informal caregivers with information specific to their chemotherapy regimen and disease site. Integrating pre-treatment education into cancer care has the potential to improve the survivorship experience by increasing self-efficacy, treatment preparedness, and psychological well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Samoil
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, 610 University Ave, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2M9, Canada
| | - Nazek Abdelmutti
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, 610 University Ave, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2M9, Canada
| | - Lisa Ould Gallagher
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, 610 University Ave, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2M9, Canada
| | - Nazlin Jivraj
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, 610 University Ave, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2M9, Canada
| | - Naa Kwarley Quartey
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, 610 University Ave, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2M9, Canada
| | - Lisa Tinker
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, 610 University Ave, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2M9, Canada
| | - Meredith Giuliani
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, 610 University Ave, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2M9, Canada
| | - Aileen Trang
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, 610 University Ave, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2M9, Canada
| | - Sarah E Ferguson
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, 610 University Ave, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2M9, Canada
| | - Janet Papadakos
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, 610 University Ave, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2M9, Canada; Ontario Health, Cancer Care Ontario, 620 University Ave, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2L7, Canada; University of Toronto, 27 King's College Circle, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A1, Canada.
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Durepos P, Ploeg J, Akhtar-Danesh N, Sussman T, Orr E, Kaasalainen S. Caregiver preparedness for death in dementia: an evaluation of existing tools. Aging Ment Health 2020; 24:1671-1680. [PMID: 31144986 DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2019.1622074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Objectives: Death preparedness amongst family caregivers (CG) is a valuable and measurable concept. Preparedness predicts CG outcomes in bereavement and is modifiable through a palliative approach which includes advance care planning (ACP) interventions. Improving death preparedness is important for CGs of persons with dementia (PwD) whom are more likely to develop negative outcomes in bereavement, and experience less than adequate palliative care. However, the adequacy of existing tools to measure death preparedness in CGs of PwD is unknown, which limits intervention design and prospective evaluation of ACP effectiveness.Methods: We conducted a review and evaluation of existing tools measuring the attribute domains and traits of CG death preparedness. Literature was searched for articles describing caregiving at end of life (EOL). Measurement tools were extracted, screened for inclusion criteria, and data extracted regarding: conceptual basis, population of development, and psychometrics. Tool content was compared to preparedness domains/traits to assess congruency and evaluate the adequacy of tools as measures of death preparedness for CGs of PwD.Results: Authors extracted 569 tools from articles, retaining seven tools for evaluation. The majority of tools, n = 5 (70%) did not sample all preparedness domains/traits. Few tools had items specific to EOL; only one tool had a specific item questioning CG preparedness for death, and only one tool had items specific to dementia.Conclusion: Limitations in existing tools suggest they are not adequate measures of death preparedness for CGs of PwD. Consequently, the authors are currently developing a questionnaire to be titled, 'Caring Ahead' for this purpose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela Durepos
- McMaster University, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Nursing, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,Hamilton Health Sciences Corporation, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jenny Ploeg
- McMaster University, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Nursing, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,Aging, Community and Health Research Unit, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Noori Akhtar-Danesh
- McMaster University, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Nursing, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tamara Sussman
- Department of Social Work, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Elizabeth Orr
- McMaster University, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Nursing, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sharon Kaasalainen
- McMaster University, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Nursing, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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Axelsson L, Alvariza A, Holm M, Årestedt K. Intensity of Predeath Grief and Postdeath Grief of Family Caregivers in Palliative Care in Relation to Preparedness for Caregiving, Caregiver Burden, and Social Support. Palliat Med Rep 2020; 1:191-200. [PMID: 34223476 PMCID: PMC8241336 DOI: 10.1089/pmr.2020.0033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The intensity of predeath grief is associated with postdeath grief in family caregivers of patients in palliative care. Different factors during caregiving may influence this association. Objective: To examine (1) the intensity of grief in relation to preparedness for caregiving, caregiver burden, and social support, and (2) if these variables moderate associations between predeath and postdeath grief. Methods: This prospective correlational study used unpaired t-test to compare grief in relation to preparedness for caregiving, caregiver burden, and social support. Hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis investigated moderation effects. Family caregivers were recruited from 10 palliative homecare facilities. The Anticipatory Grief Scale, Texas Revised Inventory of Grief, Preparedness for Caregiving Scale, Caregiver Burden Scale, and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support were used. Ethical approval for the study was granted by the Regional Ethical Review Board in Stockholm, Sweden. Results: In total, 128 family caregivers participated. Those with high caregiver burden scored significantly higher intensity of predeath but not postdeath grief. Caregiver burden and social support moderated the association between intensity of predeath grief and postdeath grief. There was a stronger association between predeath and postdeath grief among caregivers with low caregiver burden or low social support. Preparedness for caregiving had no moderating effect. Discussion: Attention should be directed to caregiver burden and social support during family caregiving, as these variables seem to be significant for the intensity of grief before and after the patient's death. Acknowledging predeath grief during caregiving and recognizing pre- and postdeath grief as parts of the same process are of importance in clinical practice and when designing supportive interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena Axelsson
- Department of Nursing Science, Sophiahemmet University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anette Alvariza
- Department of Health Care Sciences/Palliative Research Centre, Ersta Sköndal Bräcke University College, Stockholm, Sweden.,Capio Palliative Care, Dalen Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maja Holm
- Department of Nursing Science, Sophiahemmet University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kristofer Årestedt
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden.,The Research Section, Region Kalmar County, Kalmar, Sweden
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Ribeiro O, Brandão D, Oliveira AF, Teixeira L, Paúl C. Positive aspects of care in informal caregivers of community-dwelling dementia patients. J Psychiatr Ment Health Nurs 2020; 27:330-341. [PMID: 31811684 DOI: 10.1111/jpm.12582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 12/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT?: Positive aspects of care are considered an essential part of caregiving research. They have been related to a wide range of dimensions of the caregiving circumstances, but there are few valid, reliable and brief measures to assess them. One of the most frequently used internationally is the Positive Aspects of Caregiving (PAC) scale, whose psychometric properties have received little attention. WHAT THE PAPER ADDS TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE?: The present study analyses the psychometric properties of the Portuguese version of the PAC scale in a sample of informal caregivers of someone with dementia and further explores the association of different factors (e.g. caregiver health, sociodemographic variables) with the PAC. The Portuguese version of PAC scale presented good psychometric characteristics, and the factor analysis revealed the presence of two factors: affirming self and enriching life. Our study also verified that higher levels of PAC are more likely to be associated with better caregiver health perception, lower levels of psychological distress and burden, the care recipient's older age, providing care to more than one care recipient, not receiving social support services and not considering institutionalizing the care recipient. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE?: Findings from this study can assist professionals, including mental health nurses, to develop and implement effective interventions that help dementia caregivers to maintain their emotional health by identifying and focusing specific positive aspects of care. The study stresses the Portuguese version of the PAC scale as a reliable and valid measure for practice. ABSTRACT: Introduction Positive aspects of care refer to the psychosocial benefits of caregiving. The Positive Aspects of Caregiving (PAC) scale is one of the instruments most frequently used internationally, but its psychometric properties and correlates within the caregiving experience have received limited attention. Aim To examine the factorial structure of the Portuguese version of PAC scale and to analyse background and contextual factors that are more likely to be associated with higher levels of PAC. Method The PAC scale, a sociodemographic questionnaire and measures assessing burden and physical and mental health were administered to 204 informal caregivers of dementia patients. Results Exploratory factor analysis revealed a two-factor structure; internal consistency was adequate. Higher scores were negatively correlated with caregiver burden and distress. Better health perception, care recipient's older age, providing care to more than one care recipient and overall self-reliance were correlated with higher levels of PAC. Discussion The PAC scale was found to be a reliable and valid measure. Dementia caregiving circumstances and caregivers' and care receivers' characteristics play an important role for the presence of PAC, but relate distinctively with its dimensions. Implications for Practice Findings can help mental health nurses to recognize distinctive relations between PAC and caregiving variables.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar Ribeiro
- Department of Education and Psychology, University of Aveiro (DEP-UA), Aveiro, Portugal.,Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), Porto, Portugal.,Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Daniela Brandão
- Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), Porto, Portugal.,Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana F Oliveira
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Laetitia Teixeira
- Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), Porto, Portugal.,Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Constança Paúl
- Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), Porto, Portugal.,Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Porto, Portugal
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28
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Alvariza A, Häger-Tibell L, Holm M, Steineck G, Kreicbergs U. Increasing preparedness for caregiving and death in family caregivers of patients with severe illness who are cared for at home - study protocol for a web-based intervention. BMC Palliat Care 2020; 19:33. [PMID: 32183803 PMCID: PMC7079472 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-020-0530-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Family caregivers of patients with severe illness and in need for a palliative care approach, face numerous challenges and report having insufficient preparedness for the caregiver role as well as a need for information and psychosocial support. Preparing to care for a severely ill family members also means becoming aware of death. Feelings of being prepared are associated with positive aspects and regarded protective against negative health consequences. Methods The study adheres to the SPIRIT-guidelines (Supplementary 1), uses a pre-post design and include a web-based intervention. Inclusion criteria are; being a family caregiver of a patient with severe illness and in need of a palliative care approach. The intervention which aims to increase preparedness for caregiving and death is grounded in theory, research and clinical experience. The topics cover: medical issues, symptoms and symptom relief; communication within the couple, how to spend the time before death, being a caregiver, planning for the moment of death and; considerations of the future. The intervention is presented through videos and informative texts. The website also holds an online peer-support discussion forum. Study aims are to: evaluate feasibility in terms of framework, content, usage and partners’ experiences; explore how the use of the website, influences family caregivers’ preparedness for caregiving and death; explore how the use of the website influences family caregivers’ knowledge about medical issues, their communication with the patient and their considerations of the future; and to investigate how the family caregivers’ preparedness for caregiving and death influences their physical and psychological health and quality of life 1 year after the patient’s death. Data will be collected through qualitative interviews and a study-specific questionnaire at four time-points. Discussion This project will provide information about whether support via a website has the potential to increase preparedness for caregiving and death and thereby decrease negative health consequences for family caregivers of patients affected by severe illness. It will provide new knowledge about intervention development, delivery, and evaluation in a palliative care context. Identification of factors before death and their association with family caregivers’ preparedness and long-term health may change future clinical work. Trial registration The study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03676283.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anette Alvariza
- The Department of Health Care Science/Palliative Research Centre, Ersta Sköndal Bräcke University College, Stigbergsgatan 30, 100 61, Stockholm, Sweden.,Capio Palliative Care Unit, Dalen Hospital, Åstorpsringen 6, 121 31, Enskededalen, Sweden
| | - Louise Häger-Tibell
- The Department of Health Care Science/Palliative Research Centre, Ersta Sköndal Bräcke University College, Stigbergsgatan 30, 100 61, Stockholm, Sweden. .,Tema Cancer, BES: Breast-endocrine tumors and sarcoma, Karolinska University Hospital, Eugeniavägen 3, 171 76, Solna, Sweden.
| | - Maja Holm
- The Department of Health Care Science/Palliative Research Centre, Ersta Sköndal Bräcke University College, Stigbergsgatan 30, 100 61, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Nursing Science, Sophiahemmet University, Valhallavägen 91, 114 28, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Gunnar Steineck
- Division of Clinical Cancer Epidemiology, Department of Oncology, Institute of Clinical sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Blå Stråket 2 SU/Jubileumskliniken, 413 45, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Department of Oncology and Pathology, Division of Clinical Cancer Epidemiology, Karolinska Institutet, Solnavägen 1, 171 77, Solna, Sweden
| | - Ulrika Kreicbergs
- The Department of Health Care Science/Palliative Research Centre, Ersta Sköndal Bräcke University College, Stigbergsgatan 30, 100 61, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Solnavägen 1, 171 77, Solna, Sweden
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Teo I, Baid D, Ozdemir S, Malhotra C, Singh R, Harding R, Malhotra R, Yang MG, Neo SHS, Cheung YB, Neo PSH, Kanesvaran R, Kumarakulasinghe NB, Lee LH, Koh GCH, Finkelstein EA. Family caregivers of advanced cancer patients: self-perceived competency and meaning-making. BMJ Support Palliat Care 2019; 10:435-442. [PMID: 31806656 DOI: 10.1136/bmjspcare-2019-001979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Revised: 10/03/2019] [Accepted: 11/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Family caregivers of patients with advanced cancer have been reported to provide long hours of care and be at risk for poor psychological outcomes. Although research has focused on the nature of caregiving burden, little attention has been paid to identifying protective factors that improve caregiver psychological outcomes. AIM We examined the relationship between caregivers' time spent caregiving and the following psychological outcomes: anxiety, depression and caregiving esteem. Subsequently, we explored the main and moderating effects of caregiver-perceived self-competency and sense of meaning on caregiver psychological outcomes. DESIGN/PARTICIPANTS Cross-sectional analysis was conducted using the baseline data from an ongoing cohort study. Family caregivers of advanced cancer patients (n=287) were recruited from two tertiary hospitals in Singapore. RESULTS Time spent caregiving was not significantly associated with caregiver anxiety, depression or caregiving esteem. However, significant main effects of self-competency on anxiety and caregiving esteem; and sense of meaning on anxiety, depression and caregiving esteem were observed. Moderator analyses further indicated that self-competency attenuated the positive relationship between time spent caregiving and anxiety, while sense of meaning attenuated the negative relationship between time spent caregiving and caregiving esteem. CONCLUSION Greater perceived self-competency and sense of meaning are related to better caregiver psychological outcomes, and protect caregivers from worsening outcomes as caregiving hours increase. Our findings suggest that screening caregivers for distress is an important part of care, and that supportive interventions for caregivers should aim to enhance their perceived caregiving competencies and the ability to make meaning of their caregiving role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Teo
- Lien Centre for Palliative Care, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore .,Division of Supportive and Palliative Care, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore.,Program in Health Services & Systems Research, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Drishti Baid
- Lien Centre for Palliative Care, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Semra Ozdemir
- Lien Centre for Palliative Care, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore.,Program in Health Services & Systems Research, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Chetna Malhotra
- Lien Centre for Palliative Care, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore.,Program in Health Services & Systems Research, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Ratna Singh
- Lien Centre for Palliative Care, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Richard Harding
- Department of Palliative Care and Policy, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Rahul Malhotra
- Program in Health Services & Systems Research, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore.,Centre for Aging Research and Education, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Meijuan Grace Yang
- Lien Centre for Palliative Care, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore.,Division of Supportive and Palliative Care, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore
| | - Shirlyn Hui-Shan Neo
- Division of Supportive and Palliative Care, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yin Bun Cheung
- Program in Health Services & Systems Research, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore.,Centre for Quantitative Medicine, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore.,Center for Child Health Research, Tampere University, Tampere, Pirkanmaa, Finland
| | - Patricia Soek Hui Neo
- Division of Supportive and Palliative Care, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore
| | | | | | - Lai Heng Lee
- Department of Haematology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
| | - Gerald Choon Huat Koh
- Program in Health Services & Systems Research, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore.,Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Eric A Finkelstein
- Lien Centre for Palliative Care, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore.,Program in Health Services & Systems Research, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
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30
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Caregivers in home palliative care: gender, psychological aspects, and patient's functional status as main predictors for their quality of life. Support Care Cancer 2019; 28:3227-3235. [PMID: 31720824 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-019-05155-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aims to investigate the impact of possible predictors of quality of life (QoL) in a group of Italian caregivers assisting a cancer patient in home palliative care. METHODS Data from 570 adult informal caregivers and their cancer-affected relatives were collected. A multivariate regression analysis was conducted to assess the effect of three groups of variables on Caregivers Quality of Life Index-Cancer (CQOLC) scale: (a) socio-demographic characteristics of caregivers; (b) psychological characteristics of caregivers assessed by Profile Mood of States (POMS), Caregiver Burden Inventory (CBI), and Preparedness for Caregiving Scale (PCS); (c) Socio-demographic characteristics and functional status of the patients assessed by Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS), Activities of Daily Living (ADL), and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL). RESULTS Regression analysis shows that some variables from each of these clusters are significantly associated with CQOLC, in particular: (a) the gender of the caregiver (st.β = .115, t = 2.765, p = .006) and the time spent for caregiving (st.β = - .165, t = - 3.960, p < .001); (b) the scores obtained by the caregivers in POMS,CBI (st.β = - .523, t = - 16.984, p < .001 and st.β = - .373, t = - 12.950, p < .001, respectively) and PCS (st.β = .092, t = 3.672, p < .001); (c) the gender (st.β = - .081, t = - 1.933, p = .045) and the IADL score (st.β = .195, t = 4.643, p < .001) of the patient. CONCLUSIONS A multidimensional evaluation is a key strategy to identify the most vulnerable caregivers. Apart from the condition of the patient, the gender of the caregivers, the time spent for caregiving and, above all, their psychological condition are strong predictors of caregivers' QoL.
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31
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Schulz R. Commentary on "Influence of Positive and Negative Dimensions of Dementia Caregiving on Caregiver Well-Being and Satisfaction with Life: Findings from the Ideal Study". Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 2019; 27:849-850. [PMID: 30857857 DOI: 10.1016/j.jagp.2019.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 02/07/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Richard Schulz
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh.
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32
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Hagedoorn EI, Keers JC, Jaarsma T, van der Schans CP, Luttik MLA, Paans W. The association of collaboration between family caregivers and nurses in the hospital and their preparedness for caregiving at home. Geriatr Nurs 2019; 41:373-380. [PMID: 30867090 DOI: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2019.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2018] [Revised: 02/11/2019] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Family caregivers of an older person who was recently hospitalized often feel unprepared for their new or expanded tasks. Quality and continuity of care for older people is expected to improve when nurses collaborate with family caregivers as partners in care. The aim of this study was to explore the unique contribution of collaboration between family caregivers of older patients and hospital nurses as a possible predictor for preparedness of caregiving after hospital discharge. With a cross sectional design, a postal survey was sent to 777 family caregivers of home-dwelling hospitalized patients (≥70 years). Regression analyses were used to test the association between collaboration and preparedness for caregiving. In total, 506 (68%) family caregivers responded of whom 281 (38%) were eligible. Their mean (SD) age was 65 (13) and 71% were female. Family caregivers' level of collaboration with nurses was significantly associated with their preparedness for caregiving.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen I Hagedoorn
- Research Group Healthy Ageing Allied Health Care and Nursing, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, P.O. Box 3109, 9701 DC, Groningen, the Netherlands; University of Groningen, University Medical Center, Department of Health Psychology, A. Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV, Groningen, the Netherlands; Research Group Nursing Diagnostics, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, P.O. Box 3109, 9701 DC, Groningen, the Netherlands.
| | - Joost C Keers
- Research Group Healthy Ageing Allied Health Care and Nursing, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, P.O. Box 3109, 9701 DC, Groningen, the Netherlands; Martini Hospital, Groningen, the Netherlands.
| | - Tiny Jaarsma
- Department of Social and Welfare Studies (ISV), Linköping University, SE-581 83, Linköping, Sweden.
| | - Cees P van der Schans
- Research Group Healthy Ageing Allied Health Care and Nursing, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, P.O. Box 3109, 9701 DC, Groningen, the Netherlands; University of Groningen, University Medical Center, Department of Health Psychology, A. Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV, Groningen, the Netherlands; University of Groningen, University Medical Center, Department of Rehabilitation, A. Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV, Groningen, the Netherlands.
| | - Marie Louise A Luttik
- Research Group Nursing Diagnostics, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, P.O. Box 3109, 9701 DC, Groningen, the Netherlands.
| | - Wolter Paans
- Research Group Nursing Diagnostics, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, P.O. Box 3109, 9701 DC, Groningen, the Netherlands.
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Alvariza A, Holm M, Benkel I, Norinder M, Ewing G, Grande G, Håkanson C, Öhlen J, Årestedt K. A person-centred approach in nursing: Validity and reliability of the Carer Support Needs Assessment Tool. Eur J Oncol Nurs 2018; 35:1-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejon.2018.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2018] [Revised: 04/26/2018] [Accepted: 04/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Yu DSF, Cheng ST, Wang J. Unravelling positive aspects of caregiving in dementia: An integrative review of research literature. Int J Nurs Stud 2017; 79:1-26. [PMID: 29128685 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2017.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 204] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2016] [Revised: 10/12/2017] [Accepted: 10/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Family caregiving is the crucial informal care resource to lessen the burdens associated with dementia. Research in this field has focused on reducing the caregiver's burden, but little attention has been given to promoting the positive aspects of caregiving. OBJECTIVES To conduct a systematic critical review of research on the nature of positive aspects of caregiving, and the factors predicting this phenomenon among family caregivers of dementia patients, with the ultimate purpose of gaining insights to explain how and why it emerges. REVIEW METHODS A systematic search of the literature was undertaken in the databases OvidMedline, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Web of Science and Scopus, using the keywords 'care* AND Alzheimer OR dementia AND 'positive aspect' OR 'positive experience' OR 'positive perceptions' OR reward OR gain OR 'satisfaction with care*' OR 'care* satisfaction' OR benefit OR uplift OR meaning OR enjoyment OR pleasure OR growth OR hope OR gratification. The Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklists for qualitative and cohort studies were used to evaluate data quality. Narrative data synthesis was undertaken using the five-stage Whittermore and Knafl method. RESULTS A total of 3862 articles were identified, of which 41 were included in this review. The key findings are that positive aspects of caregiving among family caregivers of dementia patients form a multi-dimensional construct which covers four key domains: a sense of personal accomplishment and gratification, feelings of mutuality in a dyadic relationship, an increase of family cohesion and functionality, and a sense of personal growth and purpose in life. By integrating the findings about the nature and conditions predicting positive aspects of caregiving, the presence of three conditions was identified as promoting the emergence of such qualities i) personal and social affirmation of role fulfilment, ii) effective cognitive emotional regulation and iii) contexts which favour finding meaning in the caregiving process. CONCLUSION The findings of this review provide insight into catalysing the paradigm shift from 'reducing stress' to 'optimising positive experience' in developing caregiving support services for dementia, and may guide future empirical study to explain this unique dimension of caregiving experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doris S F Yu
- The Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
| | - Sheung-Tak Cheng
- Psychology and Gerontology, Department of Health and Physical Education, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
| | - Jungfang Wang
- The Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
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Petruzzo A, Paturzo M, Buck HG, Barbaranelli C, D'Agostino F, Ausili D, Alvaro R, Vellone E. Psychometric evaluation of the Caregiver Preparedness Scale in caregivers of adults with heart failure. Res Nurs Health 2017; 40:470-478. [DOI: 10.1002/nur.21811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2017] [Accepted: 06/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Petruzzo
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention; University of Rome Tor Vergata; Rome Italy
| | - Marco Paturzo
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention; University of Rome Tor Vergata; Rome Italy
| | - Harleah G. Buck
- College of Nursing; University of South Florida; Tampa Florida
| | | | - Fabio D'Agostino
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention; University of Rome Tor Vergata; Rome Italy
| | - Davide Ausili
- Department of Medicine and Surgery; University of Milan-Bicocca; Milan Italy
| | - Rosaria Alvaro
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention; University of Rome Tor Vergata; Rome Italy
| | - Ercole Vellone
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention; University of Rome Tor Vergata; Rome Italy
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Nemati S, Rassouli M, Ilkhani M, Baghestani AR. Perceptions of family caregivers of cancer patients about the challenges of caregiving: a qualitative study. Scand J Caring Sci 2017; 32:309-316. [PMID: 28869659 DOI: 10.1111/scs.12463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2016] [Accepted: 03/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The experience of caring for a family member with cancer is associated with several care-related problems and challenges for the caregiver. The comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the trials and tribulations of caregiving can be a step towards resolving the problems faced by family caregivers of these patients. AIM The present study aimed to explore challenges faced by Iranian family caregivers of cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS The present qualitative study was conducted through in-depth semi-structured interviews held with 21 family caregivers of cancer patients selected through purposive sampling. Interviews continued until saturation of data. All interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed through conventional content analysis. FINDING The codes extracted from interviews produced four main themes, including 'confusion', 'uncertainty', 'disintegration' and 'setback', which collectively caused suffering for family caregivers. CONCLUSION Care provided in an atmosphere of suffering and discontent diminishes caregiver's quality of life and quality of patient care. Health planners should therefore consider the challenges and sufferings faced by family caregivers and should seek to obviate them through appropriate plans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahnaz Nemati
- Nursing & Midwifery School, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Rassouli
- Pediatric Nursing Department, Nursing & Midwifery School, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahnaz Ilkhani
- Lecturer & Director of Continuing Education Center, School of Nursing & Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ahmad Reza Baghestani
- Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Characteristics of the Family Caregivers Who Did Not Benefit From a Successful Psychoeducational Group Intervention During Palliative Cancer Care: A Prospective Correlational Study. Cancer Nurs 2017; 40:76-83. [PMID: 26925988 DOI: 10.1097/ncc.0000000000000351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although there has been a steady increase in intervention studies aimed toward supporting family caregivers in palliative cancer care, they often report modest effect sizes and there is a lack of knowledge about possible barriers to intervention effectiveness. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to explore the characteristics of family caregivers who did not benefit from a successful psychoeducational group intervention compared with the characteristics of those who did. INTERVENTION/METHODS A psychoeducational intervention for family caregivers was delivered at 10 palliative settings in Sweden. Questionnaires were used to collect data at baseline and following the intervention. The Preparedness for Caregiving Scale was the main outcome for the study and was used to decide whether or not the family caregiver had benefited from the intervention (Preparedness for Caregiving Scale difference score ≤ 0 vs ≥ 1). RESULTS A total of 82 family caregivers completed the intervention and follow-up. Caregivers who did not benefit from the intervention had significantly higher ratings of their preparedness and competence for caregiving and their health at baseline compared with the group who benefited. They also experienced lower levels of environmental burden and a trend toward fewer symptoms of depression. CONCLUSIONS Family caregivers who did not benefit from the intervention tended to be less vulnerable at baseline. Hence, the potential to improve their ratings was smaller than for the group who did benefit. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Determining family caregivers in cancer and palliative care who are more likely to benefit from an intervention needs to be explored further in research.
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Cheng HY, Chair SY, Chau JPC. Psychometric Evaluation of the Caregiving Competence Scale Among Chinese Family Caregivers. Rehabil Nurs 2017; 42:157-163. [DOI: 10.1002/rnj.207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Toye C, Parsons R, Slatyer S, Aoun SM, Moorin R, Osseiran-Moisson R, Hill KD. Outcomes for family carers of a nurse-delivered hospital discharge intervention for older people (the Further Enabling Care at Home Program): Single blind randomised controlled trial. Int J Nurs Stud 2016; 64:32-41. [PMID: 27684320 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2016.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2016] [Revised: 09/07/2016] [Accepted: 09/18/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hospital discharge of older people receiving care at home offers a salient opportunity to identify and address their family caregivers' self-identified support needs. OBJECTIVES This study tested the hypothesis that the extent to which family caregivers of older people discharged home from hospital felt prepared to provide care at home would be positively influenced by their inclusion in the new Further Enabling Care at Home program. DESIGN This single-blind randomised controlled trial compared outcomes from usual care alone with those from usual care plus the new program. The program, delivered by a specially trained nurse over the telephone, included: support to facilitate understanding of the patient's discharge letter; caregiver support needs assessment; caregiver prioritisation of urgent needs; and collaborative guidance, from the nurse, regarding accessing supports. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS Dyads were recruited from the medical assessment unit of a Western Australian metropolitan public hospital. Each dyad comprised a patient aged 70 years or older plus an English speaking family caregiver. METHODS The primary outcome was the caregiver's self-reported preparedness to provide care for the patient. Data collection time points were designated as: Time 1, within four days of discharge; Time 2, 15-21days after discharge; Time 3, six weeks after discharge. Other measures included caregivers' ratings of: their health, patients' symptoms and independence, caregiver strain, family well-being, caregiver stress, and positive appraisals of caregiving. Data were collected by telephone. RESULTS Complete data sets were obtained from 62 intervention group caregivers and 79 controls. Groups were equivalent at baseline. Needs prioritised most often by caregivers were: to know whom to contact and what to expect in the future and to access practical help at home. Support guidance included how to: access help, information, and resources; develop crisis plans; obtain referrals and services; and organise legal requirements. Compared to controls, preparedness to care improved in the intervention group from Time 1 to Time 2 (effect size=0.52; p=0.006) and from Time 1 to Time 3 (effect size=0.43; p=0.019). These improvements corresponded to a change of approximately 2 points on the Preparedness for Caregiving instrument. Small but significant positive impacts were also observed in other outcomes, including caregiver strain. CONCLUSIONS These unequivocal findings provide a basis for considering the Furthering Enabling Care at Home program's implementation in this and other similar settings. Further testing is required to determine the generalisability of results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Toye
- School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, Western Australia, 6845, Australia; Centre for Nursing Research, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, The Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, 6 Verdun Street, Nedlands Western Australia, 6009, Australia.
| | - Richard Parsons
- School of Pharmacy, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987 Perth, Western Australia 6845, Australia.
| | - Susan Slatyer
- School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, Western Australia, 6845, Australia; Centre for Nursing Research, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, The Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, 6 Verdun Street, Nedlands Western Australia, 6009, Australia.
| | - Samar M Aoun
- School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, Western Australia, 6845, Australia.
| | - Rachael Moorin
- School of Public Health, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987 Perth, Western Australia, 6845, Australia.
| | - Rebecca Osseiran-Moisson
- School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, Western Australia, 6845, Australia.
| | - Keith D Hill
- School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987 Perth, Western Australia 6845, Australia.
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Holm M, Årestedt K, Carlander I, Fürst CJ, Wengström Y, Öhlen J, Alvariza A. Short-term and long-term effects of a psycho-educational group intervention for family caregivers in palliative home care - results from a randomized control trial. Psychooncology 2015; 25:795-802. [PMID: 26449934 DOI: 10.1002/pon.4004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2015] [Revised: 09/11/2015] [Accepted: 09/17/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Family caregivers in cancer and palliative care often face heavy responsibilities and feel insufficiently prepared for the situation as caregivers. This study evaluates short-term and long-term effects of a psycho-educational group intervention aiming to increase preparedness for family caregiving in specialized palliative home care. METHODS The study design was a randomized control trial where family caregivers were allocated either to an intervention or control group. The intervention was delivered as a program including three sessions by health professionals (physician, nurse, and social worker/priest). Family caregivers from 10 specialized palliative home care settings were included. Questionnaires with validated instruments at baseline, upon completion, and 2 months following the intervention were used to measure effects of the intervention. The primary outcome was preparedness for caregiving in family caregivers. RESULTS In total, 21 intervention programs were delivered, and 119 family caregivers completed all three measurements. The intervention group had significantly increased their preparedness for caregiving in both the short-term and long-term follow-up compared with the control group. The intervention group also reported significantly increased competence for caregiving in short-term but not long. No effects of the intervention were found on rewards for caregiving, caregiver burden, health, anxiety, or depression. CONCLUSIONS The psycho-educational intervention has the potential to be used by health professionals to improve preparedness for caregiving among family caregivers in palliative care both in short and long terms. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja Holm
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Palliative Research Centre and Department of Health Care Sciences, Ersta Sköndal University College, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kristofer Årestedt
- Center for Collaborative Palliative Care, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Ida Carlander
- Palliative Research Centre and Department of Health Care Sciences, Ersta Sköndal University College, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Learning, Informatics, Management and Ethics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Carl-Johan Fürst
- Department of Clinical Science and the Institute for Palliative Care, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Yvonne Wengström
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,School of Health and Medical Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Joakim Öhlen
- Palliative Research Centre and Department of Health Care Sciences, Ersta Sköndal University College, Stockholm, Sweden.,Institute of Health and Care Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Anette Alvariza
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Palliative Research Centre and Department of Health Care Sciences, Ersta Sköndal University College, Stockholm, Sweden.,Capio Palliative care unit, Dalens Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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41
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Henriksson A, Hudson P, Öhlen J, Thomas K, Holm M, Carlander I, Hagell P, Årestedt K. Use of the Preparedness for Caregiving Scale in Palliative Care: A Rasch Evaluation Study. J Pain Symptom Manage 2015; 50:533-41. [PMID: 26004399 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2015.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2014] [Revised: 04/08/2015] [Accepted: 04/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Studies have shown that family carers who feel more prepared for the caregiver role tend to have more favorable experiences. Valid and reliable methods are needed to identify family carers who may be less prepared for the role of supporting a person who needs palliative care. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to evaluate the measurement properties of the original English version and a Swedish version of the Preparedness for Caregiving Scale (PCS). METHODS The sample (n = 674) was taken from four different intervention studies from Australia and Sweden, all focused on improving family carers' feelings of preparedness. Family carers of patients receiving palliative home care were selected, and baseline data were used. The measurement properties of the PCS were evaluated using the Rasch model. RESULTS Both the English and Swedish versions of the PCS exhibit sound measurement properties according to the Rasch model. The items in the PCS captured different levels of preparedness. The response categories were appropriate and corresponded to the level of preparedness. No significant differential item functioning for age and sex was detected. Three items demonstrated differential item functioning by language but did not impact interpretation of scores. Reliability was high (>0.90) according to the Person Separation Index. CONCLUSION The PCS is valid for use among family carers in palliative care. Data provide support for its use across age and gender groups as well as across the two language versions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anette Henriksson
- Palliative Research Centre and Department of Health Care Sciences, Ersta Sköndal University College, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Peter Hudson
- Centre for Palliative Care, St. Vincent's Hospital and Collaborative Centre of The University of Melbourne, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia
| | - Joakim Öhlen
- Palliative Research Centre and Department of Health Care Sciences, Ersta Sköndal University College, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kristina Thomas
- Centre for Palliative Care, St. Vincent's Hospital and Collaborative Centre of The University of Melbourne, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia
| | - Maja Holm
- Palliative Research Centre and Department of Health Care Sciences, Ersta Sköndal University College, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ida Carlander
- Department of Learning, Informatics, Management and Ethics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Peter Hagell
- The PRO-CARE Group, School of Health and Society, Kristianstad University, Kristianstad, Sweden
| | - Kristofer Årestedt
- Center for Collaborative Palliative Care, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
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Henoch I, Carlander I, Holm M, James I, Kenne Sarenmalm E, Lundh Hagelin C, Lind S, Sandgren A, Öhlén J. Palliative Care Research - A Systematic Review of foci, designs and methods of research conducted in Sweden between 2007 and 2012. Scand J Caring Sci 2015; 30:5-25. [DOI: 10.1111/scs.12253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2014] [Accepted: 05/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ingela Henoch
- Institute of Health and Care Sciences; The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg; Gothenburg Sweden
- University of Gothenburg Centre for Person-Centred Care (GPCC); University of Gothenburg; Gothenburg Sweden
| | - Ida Carlander
- Palliative Research Centre; Ersta Sköndal University College and Ersta Hospital; Stockholm Sweden
- Medical Management Center; Department of Learning, Informatics, Management and Ethics; Karolinska Institutet; Stockholm Sweden
| | - Maja Holm
- Palliative Research Centre; Ersta Sköndal University College and Ersta Hospital; Stockholm Sweden
- Department of Neurobiology; Care Sciences and Society; Karolinska Institutet; Stockholm Sweden
| | - Inger James
- School of Health and Medical Sciences; Örebro University; Örebro Sweden
| | - Elisabeth Kenne Sarenmalm
- Palliative Research Centre; Ersta Sköndal University College and Ersta Hospital; Stockholm Sweden
- Research and Development Centre; Skaraborg Hospital; Skövde Sweden
| | - Carina Lundh Hagelin
- Medical Management Center; Department of Learning, Informatics, Management and Ethics; Karolinska Institutet; Stockholm Sweden
- Sophiahemmet University; Stockholm Sweden
- Research and Development Unit in Palliative care; Stockholms Sjukhem Foundation; Stockholm Sweden
| | - Susanne Lind
- Palliative Research Centre; Ersta Sköndal University College and Ersta Hospital; Stockholm Sweden
- Department of Neurobiology; Care Sciences and Society; Karolinska Institutet; Stockholm Sweden
| | - Anna Sandgren
- School of Health Sciences; Jönköping University; Jönköping Sweden
- Center for Collaborative Palliative Care; Department of Health and Caring Sciences; Linneaus University; Kalmar/Växjö Sweden
| | - Joakim Öhlén
- Institute of Health and Care Sciences; The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg; Gothenburg Sweden
- University of Gothenburg Centre for Person-Centred Care (GPCC); University of Gothenburg; Gothenburg Sweden
- Palliative Research Centre; Ersta Sköndal University College and Ersta Hospital; Stockholm Sweden
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Enhancing the experience of carers in the chemotherapy outpatient setting: an exploratory randomised controlled trial to test impact, acceptability and feasibility of a complex intervention co-designed by carers and staff. Support Care Cancer 2015; 23:3069-80. [DOI: 10.1007/s00520-015-2677-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2014] [Accepted: 02/22/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Pucciarelli G, Savini S, Byun E, Simeone S, Barbaranelli C, Vela RJ, Alvaro R, Vellone E. Psychometric properties of the Caregiver Preparedness Scale in caregivers of stroke survivors. Heart Lung 2014; 43:555-60. [PMID: 25239706 DOI: 10.1016/j.hrtlng.2014.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2014] [Revised: 08/19/2014] [Accepted: 08/19/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the psychometric characteristics of the Caregiver Preparedness Scale (CPS) in caregivers of stroke survivors. BACKGROUND Caregiver preparedness can have an important impact on both the caregiver and the stroke survivor. The validity and reliability of the CPS has not been tested for the stroke-caregiver population. METHODS We used a cross-sectional design to study a sample of 156 caregivers of stroke survivors. Construct validity of the CPS was evaluated by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were also evaluated. RESULTS Caregivers were, on average, 54 year old (SD = 13.2) and most were women (64.7%). CFA supported the unidimensionality of the scale (comparative fit index = 0.98). Reliability was also supported: item-reliability index and item-total correlations above 0.30; composite reliability index = 0.93; Cronbach's alpha = 0.94; factor score determinacy = 0.97; and test-retest reliability = 0.92. CONCLUSION The CPS is valid and reliable in caregivers of stroke survivors. Scores on this scale may assist health-care providers in identifying caregivers with less preparedness to provide specific interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca Pucciarelli
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Serenella Savini
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Eeeseung Byun
- Department of Family Health Care Nursing, University of California San Francisco School of Nursing, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Silvio Simeone
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | | | - Raúl Juárez Vela
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University San Jorge, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Rosaria Alvaro
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Ercole Vellone
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy.
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Factors associated with feelings of reward during ongoing family palliative caregiving. Palliat Support Care 2014; 13:505-12. [DOI: 10.1017/s1478951514000145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
AbstractObjective:Of the few studies that have paid attention to feelings of reward in family palliative caregiving, most are retrospective and examine the experiences of bereaved family caregivers. Although feeling rewarded has been described as an influence that may facilitate the way family caregivers handle the caregiving situation, no study has sought to identify the factors associated with feelings of reward while providing ongoing family palliative care. The aim of this study, therefore, was to identify influential factors in feelings of reward experienced by family palliative caregivers.Method:Our study had a correlational cross-sectional design. Family caregivers (n = 125) of patients receiving specialized palliative care were consecutively recruited from four settings. These caregivers answered a questionnaire that included the Rewards of Caregiving Scale (RCS). This questionnaire included questions about demographic background and scales to measure preparedness for caregiving, feelings of hope, perceived health, and symptoms of anxiety and depression. Correlation and regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with rewards.Results:The results demonstrated that the more prepared caregivers with higher levels of hope felt more rewarded, while caregivers with higher levels of anxiety and those in a spousal relationship with the patient felt less rewarded by caregiving.Significance of results:It seems reasonable that feeling rewarded can be a significant contributor to the overall experience of providing ongoing palliative care. The situation of family caregivers has been shown to be multifaceted and complex, and such covariant factors as preparedness, anxiety, hope, and being in a spousal relationship with the patient to influence this experience.
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Dyadic relational resources and role strain in family caregivers of persons living with dementia at home: A cross-sectional survey. Int J Nurs Stud 2014; 51:593-602. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2013.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2012] [Revised: 08/29/2013] [Accepted: 09/06/2013] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Abstract
AbstractObjectives:Palliative family caregivers appear to experience the rewards of caregiving concurrent with burdens and negative feelings. Relatively few studies have attended to the positive and rewarding aspects in palliative family caregiving. In addition, most studies on rewards are retrospective and examine the experiences of bereaved family caregivers. The present study aimed at describing feelings of reward among family caregivers during ongoing palliative care. A further aim was to compare the experience of rewards in relation to sex and age.Methods:The sample consisted of 125 family caregivers and took place in three specialist palliative care units and one hematology unit. Participants answered a questionnaire including demographic background questions and the Rewards of Caregiving Scale (RCS). Descriptive statistics were employed to describe characteristics of the participants and the level of rewards. A Mann–Whitney U test was used to compare differences between groups of different sex and age.Results:Palliative family caregivers reported general high levels of reward. The greatest source of rewards involved feelings of being helpful to patients. This was closely followed by giving something to patients that brought them happiness and being there for them. The smallest sources of rewards were related to personal growth, self-satisfaction, and personal meaning. There was also an association between rewards and age but not between men and women.Significance of results:Family caregivers experienced the rewards of caregiving during ongoing palliative care despite their unique and stressful situation. Feelings of reward seem to be about handling a situation in a satisfying way, feeling competent and confident to take care of the patient and thereby feeling proud. Support could preferably be designed to improve a family caregiver's ability to care and to facilitate the positive aspects and rewards of caregiving and focus on strengths and resources.
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Henriksson A, Årestedt K. Exploring factors and caregiver outcomes associated with feelings of preparedness for caregiving in family caregivers in palliative care: a correlational, cross-sectional study. Palliat Med 2013; 27:639-46. [PMID: 23670720 DOI: 10.1177/0269216313486954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Family caregivers in palliative care often report feeling insufficiently prepared to handle the caregiver role. Preparedness has been confirmed as a variable that may actually protect family caregiver well-being. Preparedness refers to how ready family caregivers perceive they are for the tasks and demands in the caregiving role. AIM The aim of this study was to explore factors associated with preparedness and to further investigate whether preparedness is associated with caregiver outcomes. DESIGN This was a correlational study using a cross-sectional design. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS The study took place in three specialist palliative care units and one haematology unit. A total of 125 family caregivers of patients with life-threatening illness participated. RESULT Preparedness was significantly associated with higher levels of hope and reward and with a lower level of anxiety. In contrast, preparedness was not associated with depression or health. Being female and cohabiting with the patient were significantly associated with a higher level of preparedness. The relationship to the patient was significantly associated with preparedness, while social support, place of care, time since diagnosis and age of the patients showed no association. CONCLUSION Feelings of preparedness seem to be important for how family caregivers experience the unique situation when caring for a patient who is severely ill and close to death. Our findings support the inclusion of preparedness in support models for family caregivers in palliative care. Psycho-educational interventions could preferably be designed aiming to increase family caregiver's preparedness to care, including practical care, communication and emotional support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anette Henriksson
- Palliative Research Centre, Ersta Sköndal University College and Ersta Hospital, 10061 Stockholm, Sweden.
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Henriksson A, Årestedt K, Benzein E, Ternestedt BM, Andershed B. Effects of a support group programme for patients with life-threatening illness during ongoing palliative care. Palliat Med 2013; 27:257-64. [PMID: 22562965 DOI: 10.1177/0269216312446103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Health care systems in many countries are moving towards outpatient care in which family members are central in providing care for patients with life-threatening illness. Several studies show that family members report a lack of preparation, knowledge and the ability to handle the caregiver role, and a need for information and psychosocial support. AIM The aim was to investigate the effects of a support group programme for family members of patients with life-threatening illness during ongoing palliative care. DESIGN A prospective quasi-experimental design, including an intervention group and a comparison group, was used. SETTINGS/PARTICIPANTS A support group programme was offered to family members during ongoing palliative care at three intervention settings: two specialist palliative care units and one haematology unit. A fourth setting, a specialist palliative care unit, was used for comparisons. RESULTS Family members taking part in the support group programme significantly increased their perceptions of preparedness for caregiving, competence for caregiving, and rewards of caregiving. Hope, anxiety, depression symptoms and health showed no significant changes. CONCLUSIONS The intervention, including a support group programme delivered to family members of patients with life-threatening illness during ongoing palliative care, proved to be effective in certain domains of caregiving. No negative outcomes were detected. The results indicate that this intervention could be implemented and delivered to family members during ongoing palliative care.
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