Faculty of Health, Social Care and Education, Kingston University and St George's, University of London, 6th Floor Hunter Wing, St George's, University of London, London SW17 0RE, United Kingdom.
Bournemouth University, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Royal London House, Lansdowne Campus, Bournemouth University, Bournemouth BH1 3LT, United Kingdom.
Maturitas. 2019 Jun;124:1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2019.03.006. Epub 2019 Mar 8.
Unpaid family carers, or caregivers as they are also known, often play a vital role in supporting others with illness or disability living in the community. Overall numbers of carers are growing but numbers of older carers are increasing particularly rapidly as populations age worldwide. However, little research has focused on this important older group. This qualitative study therefore investigated older carers' experiences and their perceptions of their role.
Five digitally recorded focus groups with carers from Greater London were undertaken. Recordings were transcribed and analysed thematically.
Forty-four carers aged 70-87 years participated. Most were female and two-thirds were spouses or partners. Overall, the carers thought their experiences were similar to those of younger adult carers and included both satisfying and challenging facets. However, they thought that some of the more negative aspects of the role were more difficult for older carers. Their own declining physical and emotional health and strength were seen as making it harder to access support and maintain social contacts. Loneliness both outside and within relationships featured prominently and was perceived as especially significant for housebound carers and when caring for someone with dementia. Many of these older carers also worried about the future when they might no longer be able to be a carer due to their own ill-health or death.
Older carers find their role challenging and future investigations should focus on identifying means of reducing their isolation and supporting them with planning for the future.
无偿家庭照顾者，或者他们也被称为照顾者，通常在支持社区中患有疾病或残疾的人方面发挥着至关重要的作用。照顾者的总数在不断增加，但随着全球人口老龄化，老年照顾者的数量增长尤其迅速。然而，很少有研究关注这个重要的老年群体。因此，这项定性研究调查了老年照顾者的经验及其对自身角色的看法。
在大伦敦地区进行了 5 次有照顾者参加的数字记录焦点小组。对录音进行了转录，并进行了主题分析。
44 名 70-87 岁的照顾者参与了研究。大多数是女性，三分之二是配偶或伴侣。总的来说，照顾者认为他们的经历与年轻成年照顾者相似，包括令人满意和具有挑战性的方面。然而，他们认为，该角色的一些更负面的方面对老年照顾者来说更加困难。他们自己身体和情绪健康状况的下降以及体力的下降被认为使他们更难获得支持和维持社会联系。孤独感在内外关系中都很突出，对于那些被困在家里的照顾者和照顾痴呆症患者的照顾者来说，被认为是特别重要的。许多老年照顾者还担心未来，当他们因自身健康状况不佳或死亡而无法再担任照顾者时。
老年照顾者发现他们的角色具有挑战性，未来的研究应重点关注如何减少他们的孤立感，并支持他们为未来做好规划。
