Family caregivers: what do they need? An integrative review

Abstract

Objective: Aimed to identify the main needs expressed by family caregivers in caring for a dependent person. Method: An integrative review of the literature in the period between 2010 and 2015 using specific search engine tools in the EBSCO and SCOPUS databases. Results: 11 articles were selected, and the analysis of the scientific evidence obtained allowed for organizing the results into five thematic areas: transition into care, being responsible for everything, the importance of support, access to formal support, communication and information processes. Conclusion: The results showed that caregivers have many needs in different areas, which should be addressed in nursing interventions.

Dar Voz aos Cuidadores: um jogo para o cuidador familiar de um doente dependente

“…The content present on the card games were a result of a literature review conducted about the needs of family caregivers of dependent individuals (3) , as well as the data resulting from two focus groups with caregivers of dependent individuals.…”

“…The literature review about the needs of family caregivers of a dependent individual resulted in five thematic areas: transition into care, being responsible for everything, the importance of support, access to formal support, and communication and information processes, which are addressed more in-depth in the cited paper (3) . The focus groups consisted of 12 female caregivers, with ages between 30 and 67 years.…”

“…Family caregivers experience a situational transition, which includes situations of crises in which roles are redefined and new ones incorporated (2) . These new roles can be experienced with multiple needs and feelings, which tend to be contradictory and antagonistic due to associated tension, competencies and conflict (3) . Aware of the complex and unique nature of the experience of family care (4) , and of the presence of factors that facilitate or inhibit effective transitions (5) , the researchers sought to create a collaborative game as an effective strategy to facilitate this transition.…”

“…The idea of the game emerged from the need to intervene in family crises triggered by acquisition of new roles associated with caring for a dependent individual. The new tasks are usually distributed unequally among family members, and caregivers are the only ones to receive additional roles to those they already had, causing imbalance in the family unit (3) . More than an intervention, the game proposes co-participation, acting to provoke change (6) .…”

Caring ability of family caregivers of patients on cancer treatment: associated factors

“…This caring is usually attributed to one of the family members, the caregiver 3 - 4 , who assumes responsibility for care at home mediated by the love and affection relationships that bind him or her to the dependent person, However, they may be or not prepared and able to assume such attribution 5 . …”