Caregiving at the end of life: Perspectives from spousal caregivers and care recipients

Abstract

Health care and social service professionals need to recognize and understand both caregiver and care recipient perspectives if they are to successfully meet the needs of both members of the dyad.

The transition of palliative care from the hospital to the home: a narrative review of experiences of patients and family caretakers

“…According to various investigations, empowering the caregiver translates into a better experience of homecare for the dyad, [30][31][32] better control of the symptoms, diminished hospital readmissions, satisfaction with the care team, 32,33 decreased feelings of abandonment, and reduced health costs. 29,[35][36][37] Improving the communication during the transition from the hospital to the home was a recurrent theme and of concern for the dyads, who expect assertive, true, permanent and transversal communication in all contexts (hospital, home, community) and which, likewise, involves the professionals in the institution, patients, family caretakers, and health professionals of reference in the community. 38,39 In this respect, several investigations state that adequate communication among all care levels and among the subjects involved improves knowledge and access to the health services available, favors education for caring, facilitates identification of the individual and family needs, 35,36,40,41 guarantees a safe transition for the dyad between the hospital and the home, 36,42 and -lastly -adequate follow up in the home.…”

“…29,[35][36][37] Improving the communication during the transition from the hospital to the home was a recurrent theme and of concern for the dyads, who expect assertive, true, permanent and transversal communication in all contexts (hospital, home, community) and which, likewise, involves the professionals in the institution, patients, family caretakers, and health professionals of reference in the community. 38,39 In this respect, several investigations state that adequate communication among all care levels and among the subjects involved improves knowledge and access to the health services available, favors education for caring, facilitates identification of the individual and family needs, 35,36,40,41 guarantees a safe transition for the dyad between the hospital and the home, 36,42 and -lastly -adequate follow up in the home. 41,43,44 From this review, we may also derive the need to continue implementing and evaluating cares that are being valued as very positive by patients and family caretakers for a positive transition between the hospital and the home.…”

What makes grief difficult? Perspectives from bereaved family caregivers and healthcare providers of advanced cancer patients

“…However, in the context of end-of-life care, many FCGs desire to spend as much time as they can with the person before they die. This increased time together can strengthen relationships (Jo et al, 2007) and potentially reduce complications in the bereavement phase. Therefore, government programs such as Canada's Compassionate Care Benefit (Williams et al, 2006) should be promoted as a way of providing welcome financial relief for employed FCGs wishing to continue in the palliative caregiving role.…”

«Die Welt nicht zu klein werden lassen»

“…So kann es beispielsweise bei den erkrankten Personen zu vermehrtem Bedarf an Ruhepausen und damit verbunden zu sozialem Rückzug oder Konflikten in der Familie kommen (Glaus et al, 2006;Hubbard, Illingworth, Rowa-Dewar, Forbat & Kearney, 2010). Bei Angehö-rigen kann zur bisherigen Rolle als LebenspartnerIn oder FreundIn die Rolle als pflegende Angehörige oder UnterstützerIn hinzukommen (Gardner, 2008;Jo, Brazil, Lohfeld & Willison, 2007;Williams & McCorkle, 2011).…”