Needs of family caregivers of patients receiving home hospice care for cancer

Abstract

Purpose/objectives: To identify needs of family caregivers of home hospice patients with cancer.

Design: Exploratory, descriptive.

Setting: Six nonprofit homecare hospices in Canada.

Sample: Twenty Caucasian family caregivers of 20 patients with cancer enrolled in home hospice.

Methods: Subjects were recruited on admission to hospice and completed the Home Caregiver Need Survey in the home.

Main research variables: Family caregivers' assessment of their poorly satisfied informational, household, patient care, personal, spiritual, and psychological needs.

Findings: Family caregivers needed time for themselves away from the house and for their personal needs. They also lacked sufficient time to rest and did not experience adequate sleep. Caregivers needed to learn ways to help patients maintain some independence. A 24-hour hotline can be an important resource for caregivers.

Conclusions: Family caregivers need social, volunteer, and professional support while caring for a family member at home so that their own physical and emotional health does not suffer.

Implications for nursing practice: To provide guidance and support to family caregivers, nurses should assess the needs of caregivers and tailor interventions to meet those needs. Nurses also should facilitate the development of a social, volunteer, and professional support network.