Publication date: March–April 2020
Source: Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Volume 87
Author(s): Ebru Akgun-Citak, Seda Attepe-Ozden, Alina Vaskelyte, Rozemarijn L. van Bruchem-Visser, Saverio Pompili, Sultan Kav, Sema Acar, Emine Aksoydan, Atahan Altintas, Aydan Aytar, Cigdem Baskici, Aurelija Blazeviciene, Anita R. Scarpa, Gul Kiziltan, Francesco U.S. Mattace-Raso
Abstract
Background
Providing informal care may affects caregivers’ life in different ways. Determining the needs of caregivers and supporting them can improve both the quality of life of the caregivers, as well as the elderly they take care of.
Objective
To explore the experiences and needs of the informal caregivers in four countries.
Design
Qualitative research method was used in the study.
Methods
The qualitative data was collected through focus groups and individual interviews between December 2016–May 2017. In all countries interviews were conducted in the mother language of the informants.
Informants of the qualitative research were adult people who take primary care of an individual with chronic diseases, aged 65 years or older. Data were collected from 72 informal caregivers from four European countries. Inductive content analysis was performed.
Results
Informal caregivers identified 2 themes, 5 subthemes, 19 categories and 7 subtcategories. The themes highlighted two major issues: informal caregiver’s challenges and needs related to the management of care of elderly and caregivers’ personal needs.
Conclusion
The important and charming results of the present study are, difficulties of managing caregiver’s own life, and coping with emotions are common in four countries. Identifying challenges and needs of informal caregivers enable healthcare professionals to develop care strategies and plan interventions focused to support and help to reduce the burden of care for elderly with chronic diseases.