Care Transition Experiences of Spousal Caregivers

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to develop a theoretical framework about caregivers' experiences and the processes in which they engaged during their spouses' transition from a geriatric rehabilitation unit to home. We used a constructivist grounded theory methodology approach. Forty-five interviews were conducted across three points in time with 18 older adult spousal caregivers. A theoretical framework was developed within which reconciling in response to fluctuating needs emerged as the basic social process. Reconciling included three subprocesses (i.e., navigating, safekeeping, and repositioning), and highlighted how caregivers responded to the fluctuating needs of their spouse, to their own needs, and to those of the marital dyad. Reconciling was situated within a context shaped by a trajectory of prior care transitions and intertwined life events experienced by caregivers. Findings serve as a resource for scientists, rehabilitation clinicians, educators, and decision makers toward improving transitional care for spousal caregivers.

Family carers' experience of caring for an older parent with severe and persistent mental illness

“…It is important, therefore, that, in developing resilience, carers come to terms with or reconcile the dissonance between their past and present relationships and roles (Byrne et al . 2011). Caring also imposes a financial burden on carers in the current study.…”

“…These measures are particularly important as a decline in their personal well-being has undesirable implications for the continuation of their caring role (Byrne et al . 2011). Carers in the present study engage in various forms of physical activity, such as walking and dancing, and participate in recreational activities such as hobbies and occasional holidays.…”

“…This is particularly salient for older carers, as their own declining health presents challenges for the continuation of their caring role (Byrne et al . 2011). Carers also frequently feel isolated (McGarry & Arthur 2001) and are unlikely to express their needs and difficulties to others (Digiacomo et al .…”

Communicating during care transitions for older hip fracture patients: family caregiver and health care provider's perspectives

“…Previous studies have also identified that family caregivers are often required to instigate and direct communication with health care providers [12,25,43,73]. A foreseeable problem with this approach is that family caregivers needs and roles change throughout care transitions [74,75]. One study that focused on care transitions from hospital to home, described that family caregivers were less aware of their information needs while the patient was in the hospital, however, after discharge the family caregivers realised that they were missing essential knowledge required to carry out their role [74].…”

“…A foreseeable problem with this approach is that family caregivers needs and roles change throughout care transitions [74,75]. One study that focused on care transitions from hospital to home, described that family caregivers were less aware of their information needs while the patient was in the hospital, however, after discharge the family caregivers realised that they were missing essential knowledge required to carry out their role [74]. This demonstrates that there are potential harms of relying on family caregivers to elicit information from health care providers based on their perceived needs.…”