Identifying Differences in Experiences Related to Caregiver Burden and Health Status Among Caregivers of Persons with Heart Failure
Open Access
- Author:
- Weinschenk, Holly Marie
- Area of Honors:
- Nursing
- Degree:
- Bachelor of Science
- Document Type:
- Thesis
- Thesis Supervisors:
- Dr. Lisa Ann Kitko, Thesis Supervisor
Dr. Lisa Ann Kitko, Thesis Honors Advisor
Judith E Hupcey, Faculty Reader - Keywords:
- heart failure
caregiving
caregiver burden
caregiver health
spousal caregiver - Abstract:
- Background: Heart failure (HF) is the leading cause of disability among older adults. Informal caregivers are vital to the health of patients with HF. Existing literature has identified negative outcomes for caregivers such as caregiver burden and decreased health-related quality of life. However, much of the research on caregiver outcomes has used quantitative methods. Qualitative research is needed to describe the individualized experiences which contribute to caregiver outcomes. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify experiences related to caregiver burden and health status among caregivers of patients with advanced HF. Methods: Participants, who were part of a larger longitudinal parent study, included caregivers of persons with advanced HF who had less than a 2-year predicated survival. Ten female spousal caregivers were included in this secondary analysis. A qualitative thematic analysis was completed to determine these caregivers’ experiences caring for a person with HF. Results: Themes included: Role adjustment; Caregiving is stressful, but not a burden; and Minimization of health needs. Caregivers reported adjusting their lifestyle and experiencing stress, but said caregiving was not a burden. Caregivers prioritized the health of the person with HF over their own and waited until after the person’s death to seek medical help for their concerns. Conclusions and Implications: Caregivers of persons with HF describe negative experiences, but are hesitant to describe these experiences as burdensome. They insist that caregiving is their job as a spouse and they do it out of love. Many caregivers do not discuss their own concerns because they feel their health is of lower priority. Providers should assess the caregiver’s health during patient visits in order to improve health outcomes for both.