The Journey of Recovery: Caregivers’ Perspectives From a Hip Fracture Telerehabilitation Clinical Trial

Abstract

Objective To explore family caregivers’ perspectives of the recovery process of older adults with hip fracture, and describe experiences from caregivers who (i) used the online intervention or (ii) received home-based care provided by the Andalusian Public Health Care System. Methods This was an exploratory secondary study with informal family caregivers who had an older adult family member with hip fracture enrolled in a novel telerehabilitation (telerehab) clinical trial. Forty-four caregivers of older adults with hip fracture were interviewed at 6 to 9 months after their family member’s hip fracture. Results Caregivers shared concerns of family members’ survival and recovery; they recounted increased stress and anxiety due to the uncertainty of new tasks associated with providing care and the impact on their lifestyle. Although most caregivers were satisfied with the health care received, they made suggestions for better organization of hospital discharge, and requests for home support. The main reasons why caregivers and their family member chose the telerehab program were to, enhance recovery after fracture, gain knowledge for managing at home, and the convenience of completing the exercises at home. There were more family caregivers in the control group who expressed a high level of stress and anxiety, and they also requested more social and health services compared with caregivers whose family member received telerehab. Conclusions Family caregivers are an essential component of recovery after hip fracture by providing emotional and physical support. However, future clinical interventions should evaluate person-centered interventions to mitigate possible stress and anxiety experienced by family caregivers. Impact Family caregivers’ perspectives are necessary in the co-design of management strategies for older adults after hip fracture.

Effects of Tele-Rehabilitation Compared with Home-Based in-Person Rehabilitation for Older Adult’s Function after Hip Fracture

“…Caregiver involvement is a positive predictive factor on patients' recovery [39]: We acknowledge that it also increases the demands on caregivers, as highlighted previously [40]. Nevertheless, to our knowledge, this is the first tele-rehabilitation program for older adults with hip fracture that gives an active role to caregivers who considered the program as an opportunity to increase their knowledge for patients management at home and enhance their functional recovery [41].…”

Barriers and Enablers to the Use of Web-Based Applications for Older Adults and Their Caregivers Post-Hip Fracture Surgery: A Descriptive Qualitative Study

“…Other studies have also shown that support from caregivers is crucial. [38][39][40] The results of this study will inform further development of MyPath to Home, 24 a web-based application to support older adults and their caregivers as they manage their personalized needs during their transition from the hospital, to rehabilitation, to home. Specifically, the barriers and enablers analysis will inform the intervention strategy.…”

The Widowhood Effect on Mortality in Older Patients with Hip Fracture

“…Indeed, family caregivers have been confirmed to be an essential component of recovery after hip fracture by providing emotional and physical support. 38 …”

“…Indeed, family caregivers have been confirmed to be an essential component of recovery after hip fracture by providing emotional and physical support. 38 However, several limitations should be acknowledged. First, like many other studies in this field, 15 marital status was assessed at the time of inclusion, thus change in marital status, such as the duration of widowhood and remarriage during the follow-up was not accounted for.…”