Problem-Solving Dimensions among Caregivers of People with Cancer Receiving Outpatient Palliative Care.

Family caregivers of people with cancer encounter a wide range of problems including challenges managing patients' symptoms, difficulties navigating complex healthcare systems, and financial stressors associated with caregiving. Outpatient palliative care teams are ideally positioned to help caregivers respond to these challenges; however, little evidence is available to inform problem-solving support for caregivers in this setting. This article presents results from a secondary analysis of data obtained as part of a randomized clinical trial of a problem-solving intervention for family caregivers of people with cancer receiving outpatient palliative care. It describes the extent to which caregivers report adoption of positive and negative problem orientations and use of rational, impulsive, and avoidant problem-solving styles, and examines whether these problem-solving dimensions differ by age and gender. Results reveal statistically significant negative correlations between caregiver age and positive and negative problem orientations and use of a rational problem-solving style, and statistically significant gender differences with regard to negative problem orientation and use of an impulsive problem-solving style. Findings from this exploratory study highlight unique potential strengths and needs of caregivers, and set the stage for future research on problem-solving among cancer caregivers in the growing field of outpatient palliative care.

Hungarian Social Caregivers' Challenges in Providing Home Care to Older Adults with Cancer.

In Hungary, as in most other countries, faces an aging population. Chronic illnesses, including cancer, among older adults often require assistance from family and formal caregivers. This study's objective was to understand Hungarian social (formal) caregivers' challenges providing care in the home for older adults diagnosed with cancer. A focus group design explored the experiences of 28 Hungarian social caregivers and 6 social work supervisors who work for county agencies responsible for formal caregiving services to older adults. The data reveal that the older adults often developed dependence on these caregivers for physical (personal), health-related, and "emotional" care. Caregivers also related difficult interactions with health providers and observation of ethical problems (autonomy, truth-telling, and justice). The complex nature of providing social care for Hungarian older adults with serious illness calls for policies that set increased requirements of educational competence and training.