Abstract
Despite families providing considerable care at end of life, there are substantial gaps in the provision of supportive care.
A qualitative interview study was conducted with 17 caregivers of people supported by an adult hospice to explore the support
needs of families. Family members readily identified the ways in which the diagnosis of a life-limiting illness impacted on
them and the family as a whole, not just the patient. Implications for practice demonstrate the need to intervene at a family
and relational level prior to bereavement, in order to mitigate complicated grief for the surviving family members. Such an
approach offers a fruitful prospective alternative to supporting caregivers post-bereavement.
A qualitative interview study was conducted with 17 caregivers of people supported by an adult hospice to explore the support
needs of families. Family members readily identified the ways in which the diagnosis of a life-limiting illness impacted on
them and the family as a whole, not just the patient. Implications for practice demonstrate the need to intervene at a family
and relational level prior to bereavement, in order to mitigate complicated grief for the surviving family members. Such an
approach offers a fruitful prospective alternative to supporting caregivers post-bereavement.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-11
- DOI 10.1007/s10591-012-9194-6
- Authors
- Liz Forbat, Cancer Care Research Centre, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA Scotland, UK
- Elaine McManus, Department of Palliative Care, Strathcarron Hospice, Randolph Hill, Denny, Stirlingshire FK6 5HJ, UK
- Erna Haraldsdottir, Department of Education, Strathcarron Hospice, Randolph Hill, Denny, Stirlingshire FK6 5HJ, UK
- Journal Contemporary Family Therapy
- Online ISSN 1573-3335
- Print ISSN 0892-2764