A qualitative study of the interaction experiences between family caregivers and community nurses for disabled elderly people at home

Abstract

Background: Family members are currently the main caregivers of the disabled elderly people at home. With declining health and increasing frailty, caregiving of disabled elderly people becomes a task of family caregivers in conjunction with community nurses. Interaction between family caregivers and community nurses can effectively improve the quality of home care for the disabled elderly people. This study aimed to investigate the interaction experiences between family caregivers and community nurses for disabled elderly people at home.Methods: This research was a qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews. Qualitative data were collected from family caregivers of the disabled elderly and community nurses in Zhengzhou city, Henan Province. Conceptual content analysis and Colaizzi’s method was used to generate qualitative codes and identify themes.Results: A total of 12 interviews were completed, including 7 family caregivers and 5 community nurses. Three themes were identified: 1)Establish a collaborative relationship ; 2)Get professional support; 3) Factors that promote and hinder the interaction.Conclusions: Findings from this study suggested that the interaction between family caregivers and community nurses will be very beneficial, which will reduce the burden of family caregivers and improve the quality of care for disabled elderly people. Providing a new perspective that we can develop and implement intervention to facilitate positive interactions and bring the highest quality of care to older adults with disabilities.