The Experience of Working With a Faith Community Nurse Liaison of Care in a Primary Care Practice Among Older Adult Clients and Their Informal Caregiver

Abstract

Informal caregivers of older adults aging in place are at risk for adverse health and financial consequences. This descriptive qualitative study explored the experience of working with a faith community nurse (FCN) liaison of care in a Catholic health care system affiliated primary care practice among older adult clients and their informal caregiver. Semistructured face-to-face interviews were conducted with nine older adult client-informal caregiver dyads, three clients, and one caregiver (n = 22). Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using Braun and Clarke's reflexive thematic analysis method. The analysis generated one overarching theme, I'm Sorry the Study and FCN Visits Are Coming to an End, and two key themes, The FCN Was Always There to Help Us (older adult clients) and The FCN Took the Pressure Off of Caregiving for Awhile (informal caregivers). Participants viewed the FCN as an instrumental member of their health care team and considered prayer and spiritual support offered by the FCN an essential element of care.

Keywords: faith community nurse; informal caregiver; older adult; primary care practice.