Providing Support to Family Caregivers of Older Adults : A Scoping Review

Abstract

Worldwide, as the population of older adults receiving palliative and hospice care increases so is the rise in family caregivers who play crucial roles in home support to loved ones. Sadly, they undergo some challenges such as physical, psychological, social, and financial setbacks which creates primary and secondary stressors that affect their quality of life and results in anger even after patients have passed away. The aim of this study was to find out the support methods healthcare providers particularly nurses employ to help relieve family caregivers of stress and enhance their overall well-being. Hence, the research question is “What kind of supports do nurses provide to assist family caregivers of older adults”. This study was conducted as a scoping review, using an inductive content analysis approach for the 12 articles included to answer the research question.

The findings revealed some methods that nurses with the help of other healthcare providers implement to support family caregivers of older adults to ensure a peaceful and dignified death. Nurses educate caregivers by providing the necessary information concerning patients and coping skills to better handle the caregiving tasks to reduce caregiving burden and relieve stress. The result shows that the support methods had positive outcomes and should continue to be implemented.