Exploring Social Support Experiences of Caregivers of Persons Living With Dementia in Hospice Care.
J Appl Gerontol
; : 7334648241275968, 2024 Aug 30.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-39214070
ABSTRACT
As the number of persons living with dementia (PLWD) enrolling in hospice care rises, caregiver support becomes increasingly crucial. While social support can help buffer caregiver stress, many caregivers report feeling isolated and having unmet needs, highlighting the limited research on this population. This qualitative descriptive study aimed to better understand caregivers' social support during the period when the PLWD is enrolled in hospice care. Analyzing qualitative data from 22 caregivers of PLWD using conventional content analysis, we identified the theme "Variations in Social Connections." This theme encompasses two subthemes "never completely alone," indicating social support from family, friends, and neighbors, and "disappointed sometimes," reflecting instances when some individuals in the caregivers' lives couldn't provide regular support. These findings underscore the need for individualized interventions, as each caregiver experiences social support uniquely. Future research should consider the variations in social support among caregivers of PLWD to inform caregiving practices effectively.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Language:
En
Journal:
J Appl Gerontol
/
J. appl. gerontol
/
Journal of applied gerontology
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
United States
Country of publication:
United States