College of Nursing, University of Colorado, 13120 E. 19th Ave., Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
School of Medicine, University of Colorado, 12631 E. 17th Ave., Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
Geriatr Nurs. 2022 Nov-Dec;48:51-57. doi: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2022.08.015. Epub 2022 Sep 17.
Older family caregivers of persons with heart failure (HF-FCGs) are an understudied and vulnerable population, who are at heightened risk for age-related physical and cognitive declines. We explored caregiving experiences of older HF-FCGs and examined levels of their caregiver burden, psychological distress, caregiving self-efficacy and quality of life (QoL) using descriptive mixed methods. We conducted telephone-based surveys and semi-structured interviews (N=13). Low levels of caregiver burden, psychological distress, and high levels of caregiving self-efficacy and QoL were reported. Through qualitative interviews, three qualitative themes emerged: (1) Impact of Being a Caregiver, (2) Managing Caregiver Distress, and (3) Embracing the Caregiver Role. Psychological distress was the most frequently reported. Physical, psychological, and social distress experienced by older HF-FCGs might be offset by their coping strategies and willingness to accept their caregiver role. FCG-centered support programs that help older HF-FCGs develop and apply their own coping strategies should be considered.
心力衰竭患者的老年家庭成员照料者（HF-FCGs）是一个研究不足且脆弱的群体，他们面临与年龄相关的身体和认知能力下降的风险更高。我们使用描述性混合方法探索了老年 HF-FCG 的照顾经验，并检查了他们的照顾者负担、心理困扰、照顾自我效能感和生活质量（QoL）水平。我们进行了电话调查和半结构化访谈（N=13）。报告的照顾者负担、心理困扰水平较低，照顾自我效能感和生活质量水平较高。通过定性访谈，出现了三个定性主题：（1）作为照顾者的影响，（2）管理照顾者的困扰，以及（3）接受照顾者的角色。心理困扰是最常报告的。老年 HF-FCG 经历的身体、心理和社会困扰可能会被他们的应对策略和愿意接受照顾者角色所抵消。应该考虑以照顾者为中心的支持计划，帮助老年 HF-FCG 发展和应用自己的应对策略。
