Caregiver Burden and Workplace Productivity Among Hospice Cancer Caregivers

Abstract

Objectives: To examine the relationships among family caregiver burden and workplace productivity and activity impairment among home hospice family caregivers of individuals with cancer who worked while providing end-of-life caregiving.

Sample & setting: Baseline data from a longitudinal study of communication between hospice providers and hospice family caregivers were used for this secondary analysis.

Methods & variables: Working family caregivers with complete workplace productivity and activity impairment data were included in this analysis (N = 30). Demographic data, caregiver burden, and workplace productivity and activity impairment were examined with descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and hierarchical linear regressions.

Results: Hospice family caregivers were primarily White, female, married, and employed full-time. Caregiver burden levels were significantly positively associated with activity impairment, presenteeism, and work productivity loss. These relationships remained statistically significant when controlling for age.

Implications for nursing: Hospice and oncology nurses can support working hospice family caregivers by assessing for burden and associated workplace challenges, as well as by providing referrals for respite and community resources.

Keywords: caregiver burden; employment; family caregiver; hospice; workplace productivity.