scholarly journals Using Documentary Short Film for Health Impact: An Example for Supporting Family Caregivers

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 192-192
Author(s):  
Janice Bell ◽  
Jessica Zitter

Abstract Storytelling through film is a powerful tool with potential to improve understanding, spark discussion, shape perceptions of health and illness, and influence related behavior. We developed a film discussion guide for the documentary short film Caregiver: A Love Story. The 24-minute film follows the experience of a man who leaves his job to become the primary caregiver of his 59 year-old wife, who opts out of non-beneficial chemotherapy, choosing instead to remain at home with hospice support. The 2-hour program was facilitated by an experienced social worker and offered on five different days/times using Zoom video (n=60 total attendees; 9-15/ session). At each session, we showed the film, discussed self-care and caregiver resources, and fielded a survey to assess satisfaction, format acceptability and session impact (response rates 67-100%/session). Attendees liked the session format (90%); found the film relevant to their situations (80%); intended to look for new professional resources (79%); were motivated to do something different(71%); learned something new (64%); and intended to ask for more help from family or friends (64%). Many commented that they preferred the video meeting format over in-person meetings. The film viewing and discussion format is acceptable and accessible to family caregivers who may otherwise not be able to attend given competing demands. This format also has potential to improve support access to resources. Extensions to this work are planned to tailor the film discussion guide for health care providers and students working with family caregivers across inpatient, outpatient and hospice settings.

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (S1) ◽  
pp. 123-123
Author(s):  
Ken Schwartz ◽  
Robert Madan ◽  
Anna Berall ◽  
Marsha Natadira ◽  
Anna Santiago

Background:Responsive behaviours in dementia are associated with poor outcomes for the person with dementia (PWD) and caregiver burnout. Family caregivers need a variety of tools to manage responsive behaviours. The Baycrest Quick-Response Caregiver Tool was developed to provide caregivers with a tool that can be used in real time. In this study, the feasibility, impact, and effectiveness of this new tool were studied in family caregivers and health care providers (HCP) using quantitative and qualitative measures.Methods:Family caregivers were recruited and were asked to complete a pre-survey before being sent the link to the educational tool. One month after the telephone survey, caregivers were sent an online post-survey to gather their feedback on the tool and the impact of the tool on caregiver well -being. Healthcare providers were also recruited and reviewed the tool through an online feedback survey. The feasibility, impact, and effectiveness of the tool were assessed using quantitative and qualitative measures.Results:Caregivers had a moderate degree of and reported a high level of competence - these scores were maintained throughout the study. Caregivers reported that tool positively impacted their compassion towards the person with dementia (PWD), and that their interactions with improved. 100% of HCP who completed the feedback survey would recommend the tool to other HCP and to caregivers of PWD. The caregivers and HCP provided specific suggestions for improvement.Conclusions:The Baycrest Quick-Response Caregiver Tool was found to be feasible and helpful. It provides caregivers and HCP with an additional approach for responsive behaviours.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 237437352110340
Author(s):  
Shirley Chien-Chieh Huang ◽  
Alden Morgan ◽  
Vanessa Peck ◽  
Lara Khoury

There has been little published literature examining the unique communication challenges older adults pose for health care providers. Using an explanatory mixed-methods design, this study explored patients’ and their family/caregivers’ experiences communicating with health care providers on a Canadian tertiary care, inpatient Geriatric unit between March and September 2018. In part 1, the modified patient–health care provider communication scale was used and responses scored using a 5-point scale. In part 2, one-on-one telephone interviews were conducted and responses transcribed, coded, and thematically analyzed. Thirteen patients and 7 family/caregivers completed part 1. Both groups scored items pertaining to adequacy of information sharing and involvement in decision-making in the lowest 25th percentile. Two patients and 4 family/caregivers participated in telephone interviews in part 2. Interview transcript analysis resulted in key themes that fit into the “How, When, and What” framework outlining the aspects of communication most important to the participants. Patients and family/caregivers identified strategic use of written information and predischarge family meetings as potentially valuable tools to improve communication and shared decision-making.


2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. 436-446 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pamela Durepos ◽  
Tamara Sussman ◽  
Jenny Ploeg ◽  
Noori Akhtar-Danesh ◽  
Harveer Punia ◽  
...  

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to clarify the concept of death preparedness for family caregivers in dementia. Conceptualization was required to support the assessment, promotion, and operationalization (ie, measurement) of death preparedness through palliative care interventions such as advance care planning. Methods: Rodgers evolutionary method of concept analysis was selected to guide this study because of the dynamic nature of death preparedness influenced by context, setting, and time. A comprehensive literature search was conducted. Authors performed constant comparative analysis to identify and interpret surrogate/related concepts, attributes, antecedents, and consequences of death preparedness. Results: Most importantly attributes included (1) knowing and recognizing the symptoms of decline in dementia and what dying looks like; (2) understanding emotions and grief responses; (3) accessing and appraising supports needed to manage and care for dying; (4) organizing affairs and completing tasks in advance; (5) accepting that losses are inevitable and imminent; (6) reflecting on caregiving and finding meaning, “a silver-lining”; and (7) closing, reconciling, and renewing relationship bonds and completing the family member’s life. Discussion: This study contributed a full definition of death preparedness in dementia. Findings aligned with/expanded upon Hebert et al Theoretical Framework of Preparedness for End-of-Life. The use of problem- and emotion-based coping strategies by caregivers with support from health-care providers to promote feelings of death preparedness (including self-efficacy and control) and minimize uncertainty was the implication of this study. Development of a holistic preparedness instrument is underway.


2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 509-518 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fayron Epps ◽  
Ishan C. Williams

This study was a post hoc analysis of a larger qualitative descriptive study exploring family involvement in health promotion activities for African Americans living with dementia where participants identified religious practices as meaningful health promotion activities. The purpose of this study was to explore ways in which religiosity may influence the well-being of older adults living with dementia. Semi-structured interviews were conducted among a sample of 22 family caregivers and 15 older adults living with dementia ( N = 37). Three themes emerged: Engagement, Promotion of Faith and Spiritual Connectedness, and Maintenance of Religious Practices. It is imperative for family caregivers to understand the important contributions of religious activities and beliefs to the well-being of their family member. This information might be of use for faith communities, policy makers, and health care providers in the provision of optimal person-centered care and the promotion of quality of life for persons living with dementia.


2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 75-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lesley Charles ◽  
Suzette Brémault-Phillips ◽  
Jasneet Parmar ◽  
Melissa Johnson ◽  
Lori-Ann Sacrey

Purpose of the StudyThe purpose of this study was to describe the experiences and challenges of supporting family caregivers of seniors with complex needs and to outline support strategies and research priorities aimed at supporting them.Design and MethodsA CIHR-funded, two-day conference entitled “Supporting Family Caregivers of Seniors: Improving Care and Caregiver Outcomes” was held. An integrated knowledge translation approach guided this planning conference. Day 1 included presentations of research evidence, followed by participant engagement Qualitative data was collected regarding facilitators, barriers/gaps, and recommendations for the provisionof caregiver supports. Day 2 focused on determination of research priorities.ResultsIdentified facilitators to the provision of caregiver support included accessibility of health-care and community-based resources, availability of well-intended health-care providers, and recognition of caregivers by the system. Barriers/gaps related to challenges with communication, access to information, knowledge of what is needed, system navigation, access to financial resources, and current policies. Recommendations regarding caregiver services and research revolved around assisting caregivers to self-identify and seek support, formalizing caregiver supports, centralizing resources, making system navigation available, and preparing the next generation for caregiving.Implication A better understanding of the needs of family caregivers and ways to support them is critical to seniors’ health services redesign.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naomi Dhollander ◽  
Tinne Smets ◽  
Aline De Vleminck ◽  
Lore Lapeire ◽  
Koen Pardon ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: To support the early integration of palliative home care (PHC) in cancer treatment, we developed the EPHECT intervention and pilot tested it with 30 advanced cancer patients in Belgium using a pre post design with no control group. We aim to determine the feasibility, acceptability and perceived effectiveness of the EPHECT intervention.Methods: Interviews with patients (n=16 of which 11 dyadic with family caregivers), oncologists and GPs (n=11) and a focus group with the PHC team. We further analyzed the study materials and logbooks of the PHC team (n=8). Preliminary effectiveness was assessed with questionnaires EORTC QLQ C-30, HADS and FAMCARE and were filled in at baseline and 12, 18 and 24 weeks.Results: In the interviews after the intervention period, patients reported feelings of safety and control and an optimized quality of life. The PHC team could focus on more than symptom management because they were introduced earlier in the trajectory of the patient. Telephone-based contact appeared to be insufficient to support interprofessional collaboration. Furthermore, some family caregivers reported that the nurse of the PHC team was focused little on them.Conclusion: Nurses of PHC teams are able to deliver early palliative care to advanced cancer patients. However, more attention needs to be given to family caregivers as caregiver and client. Furthermore, the home visits by the PHC team have to be further evaluated and adapted. Lastly, professionals have to find a more efficient way to discuss future care.


2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 655-665 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Bruce ◽  
Rosanne Beuthin ◽  
Laurene Sheilds ◽  
Anita Molzahn ◽  
Kara Schick-Makaroff

Communicating openly and directly about illness comes easily for some patients, whereas for others fear of disclosure keeps them silent. In this article, we discuss findings about the role of keeping secrets regarding health and illness. These findings were part of a larger project on how people with life-threatening illnesses re-story their lives. A narrative approach drawing on Frank’s dialogical narrative analysis and Riesman’s inductive approach was used. Interviews were conducted with 32 participants from three populations: chronic kidney disease, HIV/AIDS, and cancer. Findings include case exemplars which suggest keeping secrets is a social practice that acts along continuums of connecting–isolating, protecting–harming, and empowering–imprisoning. Keeping secrets about illness is a normative practice that is negotiated with each encounter. Findings call health-care providers to rethink the role of secrets for patients by considering patient privilege, a person’s right to take the lead in revealing or concealing their health and illness experience.


Author(s):  
Peggy Z. Shipley

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) impacts greatly not only those who have the disease, but also family caregivers who provide the majority of care for their loved ones throughout the ALS disease trajectory. In the provision of this care, these family caregivers frequently experience significant threats to their own physical and mental health, and thus to their quality of life. The burden of caregiving can be high, distress is not uncommon, and support is needed to best address these issues. Despite the physical and emotional challenges faced by family caregivers, limited research has been directed at this caregiving phenomenon. The more health care providers understand the key elements of the ALS caregiving experience, the better equipped they will be to recognize the caregivers as not only co-providers of care, but as potential recipients of care to meet the unique physical and mental challenges of this caregiving population.


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