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Increased preparedness for caregiving among family caregivers in specialized home care by using the Carer Support Needs Assessment Tool Intervention

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 June 2023

Maria Norinder Open the ORCID record for Maria Norinder [Opens in a new window] ,
Kristofer Årestedt ,
Lena Axelsson ,
Gunn Grande ,
Gail Ewing  and
Anette Alvariza Open the ORCID record for Anette Alvariza [Opens in a new window]
Maria Norinder*
Affiliation:
Department of Health Care Sciences, Palliative Research Centre, Marie Cederschiöld University, Stockholm, Sweden Capio Palliative Care, Dalen Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
Kristofer Årestedt
Affiliation:
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden Department of Research, Region Kalmar County, Kalmar, Sweden
Lena Axelsson
Affiliation:
Department of Nursing Science, Sophiahemmet University, Stockholm, Sweden
Gunn Grande
Affiliation:
Division of Nursing, Midwifery & Social Care, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
Gail Ewing
Affiliation:
Centre for Family Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
Anette Alvariza
Affiliation:
Department of Health Care Sciences, Palliative Research Centre, Marie Cederschiöld University, Stockholm, Sweden Research and Development Unit/Palliative Care, Stockholms Sjukhem, Stockholm, Sweden
*
Corresponding author: Maria Norinder; Email: maria.norinder@mchs.se
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Abstract

Objectives

Family caregivers often feel insufficiently prepared for a caregiving role, experiencing challenges and demands related to care at home that may negatively affect their own quality of life. Supportive interventions have been shown to influence negative effects, but more studies are needed. Therefore, this study aims to explore potential effects of the Carer Support Needs Assessment Tool Intervention on preparedness, caregiver burden, and quality of life among Swedish family caregivers in specialized home care.

Methods

The study had a pre–post intervention design and was conducted at 6 specialized home care services in Sweden. Family caregivers who received the intervention completed a questionnaire, including the Preparedness for caregiving scale, Caregiver Burden Scale, and Quality of Life in Life-Threatening Illness – Family carer version, at 2 time points, baseline and follow up, about 5 weeks later. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Wilcoxon signed-rank test.

Results

Altogether, 33 family caregivers completed the baseline and follow-up assessment. A majority were retired (n = 26, 81%) and women (n = 19, 58%) and two-fifths had a university degree (n = 13, 41%). The family caregivers had significantly increased their preparedness for caregiving between the baseline and follow-up assessment (Mdn = 18 vs. 20, p = 0.002). No significant changes were found on caregiver burden or quality of life.

Significance of results

The results add to knowledge regarding the Carer Support Needs Assessment Tool Intervention’s potential to improve family caregiver outcomes. Findings suggest that the intervention may be used to improve the preparedness for caregiving and support among family caregivers in specialized home care.

Keywords

CaregiversHome careInterventionPalliativePreparedness
Type
Original Article
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , Volume 22 , Issue 2 , April 2024 , pp. 236 - 242
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2023. Published by Cambridge University Press.

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