Ploeg Jenny, Garnett Anna, Fraser Kimberly D, Baird Lisa Garland, Kaasalainen Sharon, McAiney Carrie, Markle-Reid Maureen, Dufour Sinéad
School of Nursing, McMaster University, Canada.
Department of Health, Aging and Society, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
J Comorb. 2020 Dec 14;10:2235042X20981190. doi: 10.1177/2235042X20981190. eCollection 2020 Jan-Dec.
Older adults with multiple chronic conditions (MCC) rely heavily on caregivers for assistance with care. However, we know little about their psychosocial experiences and their needs for support in managing MCC. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of caregivers of older adults living in the community with MCC.
This qualitative study was a secondary analysis of previously collected data from caregivers in Ontario and Alberta, Canada. Participants included caregivers of older adults (65 years and older) with three or more chronic conditions. Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews. Interview transcripts were coded and analyzed using Thorne's interpretive description approach.
Most of the 47 caregiver participants were female (76.6%), aged 65 years of age or older (61.7%), married (87.2%) and were spouses to the care recipient (68.1%). Caregivers' experiences of caring for community-living older adults with MCC were complex and included: (a) dealing with the demands of caregiving; (b) prioritizing chronic conditions; (c) living with my own health limitations; (d) feeling socially isolated and constrained; (e) remaining committed to caring; and (f) reaping the rewards of caregiving.
Healthcare providers can play key roles in supporting caregivers of older adults with MCC by providing education and support on managing MCC, actively engaging them in goal setting and care planning, and linking them to appropriate community health and social support services. Communities can create environments that support caregivers in areas such as social participation, social inclusion, and community support and health services.
患有多种慢性病（MCC）的老年人在护理方面严重依赖照料者的帮助。然而，我们对他们的心理社会经历以及他们在管理MCC方面的支持需求知之甚少。本研究的目的是探讨社区中患有MCC的老年人的照料者的经历。
这项定性研究是对先前从加拿大安大略省和艾伯塔省的照料者那里收集的数据进行的二次分析。参与者包括患有三种或更多慢性病的65岁及以上老年人的照料者。数据通过深入的半结构化访谈收集。访谈记录使用索恩的解释性描述方法进行编码和分析。
47名照料者参与者中，大多数为女性（76.6%），年龄在65岁及以上（61.7%），已婚（87.2%），并且是受照料者的配偶（68.1%）。照料者照顾社区中患有MCC的老年人的经历很复杂，包括：（a）应对照料需求；（b）对慢性病进行优先排序；（c）带着自身健康限制生活；（d）感到社会孤立和受限；（e）坚持照料；以及（f）收获照料的回报。
医疗保健提供者可以通过提供关于管理MCC的教育和支持、积极让他们参与目标设定和护理计划，以及将他们与适当的社区健康和社会支持服务联系起来，在支持患有MCC的老年人的照料者方面发挥关键作用。社区可以创造在社会参与、社会包容、社区支持和健康服务等方面支持照料者的环境。
