A phenomenological-hermeneutic study exploring caring responsibility for a chronically ill, older parent with frailty.

AIM

To provide lifeworld insights into experiences of adult children with caring responsibility for an 80+-year-old chronically ill parent with frailty.

BACKGROUND

Informal care is common in Nordic welfare countries; however, little is known about adult children's experience of caring responsibility in this setting.

DESIGN

A phenomenological-hermeneutic study based on Reflective Lifeworld Research.

METHODS

Diaries and semi-structured interviews with 12 adult children.

RESULTS

Caring responsibility is identified as "a condition of life, filled with uncertainty." Three constituents contribute to this phenomenon: (a) balancing love, duty and reciprocity; (b) being the parent's advocate and manager; and (c) experiencing concerns and bodily strain.

CONCLUSION

Adult children work hard to provide care and enhance the well-being of their parent. Heidegger's concept 'Fürsorge' may help us understand how by showing how caring responsibility means balancing different roles vis-à-vis the parent, one's own life and the health and social systems. Caring responsibility changes the relationship between parent and child.