| dc.contributor.author | Perry, Beth | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2013-03-05T20:59:05Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2013-03-05T20:59:05Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2013-03-05T20:59:05Z | |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/2149/3309 | |
| dc.description | The research study reported at this conference explored factors that contributed to compassion fatigue in family caregivers providing care to older adult relatives. Often older family members move to long-term care facilities because they are no longer able to care for themselves at home. Family members frequently remain involved in the care of the loved one in long-term care assisting paid staff with care. These family caregivers are at risk for a condition called compassion fatigue. Compassion fatigue happens when caregivers watches someone they care about suffer pain, misfortune, or distress without being able to resolve the situation fully. Compassion fatigue can cause physical and mental health issues. Most research on compassion fatigue focuses on nurses and other health care givers. This study is unique because it focused on compassion fatigue in family caregivers. The investigation found that family members felt they needed to be constantly watchful of the care provided their family member and thus were not able to take needed breaks from assisting with providing care. The study also found that family members were distressed at the inconsistent care provided their loved one by paid staff. Finally, because family members were functioning as non-paid health caregivers they experienced role confusion. For example, they often longed for the husband, wife, daughter role which was their natural role but because of their need to help with the caregiving they often felt this natural role was lost. The study found that family caregivers assisting paid staff with care of their family member in long-term care were at risk for compassion fatigue. One recommendation from the study was that professional caregivers remain aware of this risk and monitor family members for signs of compassion fatigue. Further to minimize the possibility of compassion fatigue health care professionals can aim to provide excellent quality of care to relieve the anxiety of family members. | en |
| dc.description.abstract | This qualitative research study explored factors contributing to compassion fatigue in family caregivers who were assisting paid staff by helping to provide care to older adult relatives residing in long-term care facilities. Compassion fatigue is an emotional state with negative physical and psychological consequences resulting from prolonged caregiving to people experiencing intense suffering or misfortune. Although compassion fatigue is applied in the literature primarily to health care professionals, family caregivers may be vulnerable to compassion fatigue in part because of their affectional ties with individuals for whom they are caring.
Study participants were family members who assisted staff in providing physical, emotional, and / or spiritual care to their relatives living in long-term care facilities. Data were collected by observation and through conversations with family caregivers. Narrative analysis and poetic interpretation were the routes of data analysis. The major themes identified include relentless vigilance, consistent inconsistency, and role confusion. The themes are discussed within Pearlin, Mullan, Semple and Skaff’s stress process model for family caregiving broadened to apply to the long-term care environment. Practical recommendations for preventing or minimizing compassion fatigue in family caregivers who are caring for older-adults are described. | en |
| dc.language.iso | en | en |
| dc.relation.ispartofseries | 92.927.G1390; | |
| dc.subject | Compassion Fatigue | en |
| dc.subject | Family/Friend Caregiver | en |
| dc.subject | Older Adults | en |
| dc.subject | Long-term care | en |
| dc.title | An Exploration of Factors Contributing to Compassion Fatigue in Family Caregivers Providing Care to Older Adult Relatives | en |
| dc.type | Presentation | en |
