The experiences of older caregivers of cancer patients following hospital discharge

Supportive Care in Cancer : Official Journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer
Abby J SchwartzCristina Hendrix

Abstract

This study addressed the experiences of older caregivers of cancer patients in the 2 weeks following a hospital discharge. It sought to understand the challenges they face in providing supportive care to patients at home. Qualitative descriptive interviews with a narrative approach were conducted with each caregiver at 1 and 2 weeks following the patient's discharge from the hospital. A thematic analysis approach was used to identify the themes that emerged from the caregiver interviews. Caregivers were primarily Caucasian (77%), were mostly 68 years of age or older (62%), and were primarily caring for a spouse (69%). Three key themes emerged from the qualitative analysis: caregiver and patient wellness are connected, caregivers' struggle with control issues, and challenges in communication with health professionals. These findings highlight psychosocial changes that caregivers experience over the 2-week time period following hospital discharge. Implications include the need to identify interventions to better prepare caregivers for the post-discharge period.

References

Dec 22, 1999·JAMA : the Journal of the American Medical Association·R Schulz, S R Beach
Aug 15, 2000·Research in Nursing & Health·M Sandelowski
Dec 22, 2004·Journal of Advanced Nursing·Anna K EkwallIngalill R Hallberg
Oct 4, 2005·Social Science & Medicine·Kate Wilson, Karen A Luker
May 20, 2006·Supportive Care in Cancer : Official Journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer·Monika JandaKate Troy
Mar 24, 2007·The Journals of Gerontology. Series B, Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences·Martin Pinquart, Silvia Sörensen
Oct 11, 2007·Death Studies·Catherine E Mosher, Sharon Danoff-Berg
Jan 16, 2008·Psychological Bulletin·Mariët HagedoornJames C Coyne
Oct 17, 2008·Future Oncology·Sophie Lebel, Gerald M Devins
Jul 18, 2009·BMC Medical Research Methodology·Mette Asbjoern NeergaardJens Sondergaard
Jul 10, 2010·The Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging·S J TorresC A Nowson
Jan 10, 2012·The Journal of Supportive Oncology·Barbara A GivenPaula R Sherwood
Jan 31, 2012·Supportive Care in Cancer : Official Journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer·Petrea CornwellSarah Olson
Oct 4, 2012·The Journals of Gerontology. Series B, Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences·Martinique PerkinsDavid L Roth
Oct 31, 2012·Health Expectations : an International Journal of Public Participation in Health Care and Health Policy·Jennifer L WolffDebra L Roter
Oct 31, 2012·Seminars in Oncology Nursing·Laurel L NorthouseDenise Weiss
Jan 5, 2014·Psychology, Health & Medicine·Chris Segrin, Terry A Badger
Feb 27, 2014·Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention : APJCP·Ozlem UgurAyfer Sonmez
May 21, 2014·Journal of Gerontological Nursing·Elaine Wittenberg-LylesMolly Burchett
May 29, 2014·Aging & Mental Health·Deborah B EjemOlivio J Clay
Jul 6, 2015·Supportive Care in Cancer : Official Journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer·Kristin LitzelmanK Robin Yabroff
Aug 8, 2015·Patient Preference and Adherence·Nadine E AndrewDominique A Cadilhac
Jan 23, 2016·HERD·Karen Jiggins Colorafi, Bronwynne Evans
Mar 21, 2017·CA: a Cancer Journal for Clinicians·Betty Ferrell, Elaine Wittenberg

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Jun 4, 2019·Current Opinion in Supportive and Palliative Care·Virginia SunJae Y Kim
Dec 18, 2019·Supportive Care in Cancer : Official Journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer·Kelly J LafaroVirginia Sun
Feb 19, 2020·Expert Review of Hematology·Brittany Gatta, Thomas W LeBlanc

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.