Coping strategies of family carers for older relatives in Finland

Abstract

Nurses who meet family carers of ageing individuals in their work will be able to use these results in assessing how these carers are coping and whether they need support, as well as in developing services for family carers.

Impact of caregiving on Finnish family caregivers

“…As known, some family caregivers become more overburdened in their role, while others do not (6). A Finnish study that was carried out as part of a larger international project (7) looked at 290 family caregivers and showed that around 7% rated their own burden as extremely high, 24% as rather high, 42% as moderate, 20% as low and 7% as nonexistent. The lack of preparedness to take on a caregiver role may add and strengthen negative emotions such as feelings of burden, stress, worry and fear of social isolation in this responsible role.…”

Strategies for the relief of burden in advanced dementia care-giving

“…2009). They benefit most from problem solving and emotional cognitive strategies (Kuuppelomäki et al. 2004).…”

“…Maintaining outside interests, keeping time for one’s self and taking the mind off things are some of the strategies that caregivers find helpful in relieving the burden of care (Loukissa et al. 1999, Kuuppelomäki et al. 2004, MacDonald et al.…”

Motives, experiences and strategies of next of kin helping older relatives in the Swedish welfare context: a qualitative study

“…Many studies reveal that being an informal help‐giver may lead to a variety of experiences, such as appreciation and improved relationships, but also feelings of insufficiency and failure leading to stress and fatigue (Grant et al., 1998; Sand, 2005; Ungerson, 1987). It has been shown that differences in the service systems may affect how informal helpers in various countries manage their situation (Kuuppelomäki et al., 2004; Noland & Lundh, 1999).…”