The Unmet Needs of the Family Caregivers of Patients with Cancer Visiting a Referral Hospital in Iran

Context: The aging of the world’s population increasingly calls on older people to care for their cancer relatives. This scenario confronts clinicians involved with end-of-life care with an imposing challenge: elderly family caregivers could have a different perception of the burdens associated with assistance compared to their younger counterparts. Palliativists need to know what limits and resources of these new age categories of caregivers could be for a global management of dying patients with cancer and their family. Objectives: To evaluate the caregiver burden in family caregivers supporting dying patients with cancer in order to compare the differences between 2 different caregivers age groups (younger vs elderly population). Methods: This is a cross-sectional study. A total of 174 family caregivers of hospice patients were interviewed through the Caregiver Burden Inventory (CBI). The sample group was divided into 2 subgroups aged <65 (younger group) and ≥65 years old (elderly group). Results: Compared with younger caregivers, the elderly group reported significantly higher scores in the CBI–developmental subscale ( P = .009) confirmed by the generalized linear model (multivariate) evaluation that included possible predictors in the model. No further differences were found between the 2 age groups in the other CBI scores (time-dependent, physical, social, emotional, and overall score). Conclusion: Elderly caregivers are at high risk for experiencing developmental burden. This finding could prompt mental health professionals to pay greater attention to the value that assistance to the family member can have on their personal story and on that of the family or couple.

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Effect of handholding on heart rate variability in both patients with cancer and their family caregivers: a randomized crossover study

BioPsychoSocial Medicine ◽

10.1186/s13030-021-00217-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Hiroko Sakuma ◽

Hideaki Hasuo ◽

Mikihiko Fukunaga

Keyword(s):

Heart Rate ◽

Heart Rate Variability ◽

Family Caregivers ◽

Family Caregiver ◽

Time Course ◽

Self Care ◽

Autonomic Functions ◽

Patients With Cancer ◽

The Family ◽

Randomized Crossover Study

Abstract Background Many family caregivers of patients with cancer feel guilty about self-care. A meaningful relationship with patients reduces such negative feelings and functions as self-care for family caregivers. Moreover, handholding improves autonomic functions in non-cancer patients. However, the effects of handholding on both patients with cancer and family caregivers remain unknown. Methods We evaluated the effects of handholding on heart rate variability (HRV) in patients with cancer and their family caregivers. This randomized crossover study divided patients with cancer and their family caregivers into two trial groups: Handholding trial (the family caregiver holds the patient’s hand for five minutes) and Beside trial (the family caregiver stays beside the patient without holding their hand). The study included 37 pairs of patients with cancer who received treatment in the cancer department of a university hospital in Japan and their family caregivers (n = 74). The primary end-point was the change in HRV before and during the intervention. Results The median performance status of the patients was 3. An interaction was observed between trials in the standard deviation of the normal-to-normal interval (SDNN) of HRV for family caregivers (F = 7.669; p = 0.006), and a significant difference in time course was observed between the trials (before p = 0.351; during p = 0.003). No interaction was observed between trials in the SDNN for patients (F = 0.331; p = 0.566). Only a main effect in time course (F = 6.254; p = 0.014) was observed. SDNN increased significantly during the intervention in both trials (Handholding trial: p = 0.002, Beside trial: p = 0.049). Conclusions Handholding improves autonomic functions of family caregivers and may function as self-care for family caregivers. Trial registration UMIN000020557. Registered on January 15, 2016.

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Managing Caregiver Burden among Families of Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease

Africa Journal of Nursing and Midwifery ◽

10.25159/2520-5293/4330 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Yemisi Okikiade Oyegbile ◽

Petra Brysiewicz

Keyword(s):

Renal Disease ◽

Family Caregivers ◽

Caregiver Burden ◽

End Stage Renal Disease ◽

Qualitative Data ◽

Government Support ◽

Implementation Phase ◽

The Family ◽

Stage Renal Disease ◽

End Stage

Family caregivers of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) play a significant role in providing substantial care for a prolonged period for their sick relatives, often with very limited resources, making it a difficult environment. Government support for family caregivers of patients with ESRD is lacking in Nigeria, increasing their vulnerability to caregiver burden and its consequences. An action research study using a complimentary mixed-method approach was used to develop the intervention model for managing caregiver burden. Quantitative data were collected to measure the extent of caregiver burden using a Zarit Burden Interview questionnaire for 96 family caregivers, while individual in-depth interviews with 15 participants provided the qualitative data. Integrating the quantitative and qualitative data led to the identification of four moderators to manage the caregiver burden in this study. The model for managing caregiver burden was developed from the findings, using stressors and associated moderators of caregiving, and the role played by culture and finance in this context. An implementation checklist was developed, which was used by registered nurses to implement the concepts in the model with the family caregivers during the model implementation phase. Family caregivers of patients with ESRD need to be supported by nurses during the caregiving process. Nurses can increase caregivers’ identity and knowledge of the disease as a way of preventing the family caregivers from being overwhelmed by their caregiving role.

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