Determining the Effect of Group Flower Arranging Sessions on Caregiver Self-Efficacy and Stress Levels in an In-Patient Hospice

Abstract

This study was designed to promote enhanced self-efficacy and decreased stress levels for family caregivers at a hospice care hospital, thus increasing their quality of life. This is achieved through group flower arranging sessions. The objectives are to (a) enhance self-efficacy scores for family caregivers of Calvary patients, (b) decrease stress levels for family caregivers of Calvary patients, and (c) disseminate results to other hospices. The results show that the flower arranging sessions resulted in significantly increased self-efficacy and decreased stress and associated problems for the caregiver participants. Implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.

An Evaluation of Natural Environment Interventions for Informal Cancer Caregivers in the Community

“…Our review of the literature identified that the research on natural environment therapies was largely concentrated on patient populations rather than informal cancer caregivers. In studies that involved cancer caregivers, one study focused on caregivers of patients at end-of-life [33], two were primarily focused on pediatric patients and their parent caregiver [34,35], one Table 1 illustrates the grid used to chart the data and summarize findings. Our review of the literature identified that the research on natural environment therapies was largely concentrated on patient populations rather than informal cancer caregivers.…”

“…Our review of the literature identified that the research on natural environment therapies was largely concentrated on patient populations rather than informal cancer caregivers. In studies that involved cancer caregivers, one study focused on caregivers of patients at end-of-life [33], two were primarily focused on pediatric patients and their parent caregiver [34,35], one looked at a nature intervention along with other types of complementary therapies [36], and one study involved a physical activity intervention that could include activities in the natural environment [37]. Included sample sizes ranged from 34-106 caregivers who were aged 26-76 years, primarily female, and represented mixed race/ethnicities [33][34][35][36][37].…”

“…Four of the five studies on experiences with nature were conducted indoors. Of the five studies included, the end-of-life study conducted by Lavin and associates in the United States evaluated the effect of group flower arranging on self-efficacy and perceived stress among caregivers of patients who were hospitalized in inpatient hospice care [33]. Utilizing a mixed methods pre-post design, 71 family caregivers participated in a flower arranging program that was provided as part of the complementary modality support services over a 4-month time frame.…”

“…Qualitative data revealed that the experience most frequently (n = 57) improved mood, engendered a sense of healing, and was life affirming. Caregiver participants identified that the flower arranging reduced worry, was a positive distraction, and was a positive sensory experience for the hospice patient [33].…”

Music as Consolation—The Importance of Music at Farewells and Mourning

“…The symbolic function that music plays can in a way be compared with that of flowers. In hospices, members of a patient’s family or other caregivers sometimes engage in arranging flowers, and this has been found to relieve stress and other associated experiences during mourning (Lavin et al., 2020).…”