Caring for Cancer Patients at Home: The Effect on Family Caregivers

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to illustrate the many demands placed on caregivers of cancer patients at home as a result of health care shifting from the acute care setting to the home. Case scenarios are presented from a study in progress, “Pain Education for Elderly Cancer Patients at Home.” Increasingly, caregivers assume responsibility for complex cancer care at home. The cases illustrate the impact of care on quality of life of family caregivers. Nurses can provide support for family caregivers through interventions such as providing respite, ensuring continuity of care, and referring patients to support groups.

Keywords

caregiving family caregiver quality of life and its four domains: (1) physical well-being (2) psychological well-being (3) social well-being (4) spiritual well-being

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

1. Ferrell B. Study in progress. Pain Education for Elderly Cancer Patients at Home. Funded by the National Cancer Institute. Grant # CA 64775. 1994–1998.

2. Boland DL , Sims SL. Family care giving at home. Image J Nurs Scholar. 1996;28:55–58.

3. Northouse LL , Peters-Golden H. Cancer and the family: Strategies to assist spouses. Semin Oncol Nurs. 1993;9:74–82.

4. Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. Comprehensive Accreditation Manual For Hospitals. Oakbrook Terrace, III: Joint Commission; 1995.

5. Laizner AM , Yost LM , Barg FK , McCorkle R. Needs of family caregivers of persons with cancer: A review. Semin Oncol Nurs. 1993;9:114–120.

6. Hileman JW , Lackey NR , Hassanein RS. Identifying the needs of home caregivers of patients with cancer. Oncol Nurs Forum. 1992;19:771–777.

7. Grant M , Padilla G , Ferrell BR , Rhiner M. Assessment of quality of life with a single instrument. Semin Oncol Nurs. 1990;6:260–270.

8. Ferrell BR , Grant M , Rhiner M , Padilla G. Home care: Maintaining quality of life for patient and family. Oncology. 1992;6:136–140.

9. Jensen S , Given BA. Fatigue affecting family caregivers of cancer patients. Cancer Nursing. 1991;14:181–187.

10.

10. Steele RG , Fitch MI. Needs of family caregivers of patients receiving home hospice care for cancer. Oncol Nurs Forum. 1996;23:823–828.

11.

11. Reich WT , ed. Encyclopedia of Bioethics. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster; 1995.

12.

12. Perry G , Roades de Menses M. Cancer patients at home: Needs and coping styles of primary caregivers. Home Health Nurs. 1991;7:27–30.

13.

13. Lewis F. The impact of cancer on the family: A critical analysis of the research literature. Patient Educ Counsel. 1986:269–289.

14.

14. Stetz KM , McDonald JC , Compton K. Needs and experiences of family caregivers during marrow transplant. Oncol Nurs Forum. 1996;23:1422–1427.

15.

15. Ruppert RA. Caring for the lay caregiver. Am J Nurs. 1996;96:40–46.

16.

16. Siegel K , Karus DG , Raveis VH , Christ GH , Mesagno FP. Depressive distress among the spouses of terminally ill cancer patients. Cancer Pract. 1996;4:25–30.

17.

17. Ferrell BR , Grant M , Chan J , Ahn C , Ferrell BA. The impact of cancer pain education on family caregivers of elderly patients. Oncol Nurs Forum. 1995;22:1211–1218.

18.

18. Ferrell BR , Rhiner M , Shapiro B , Dierkes M. The experience of pediatric cancer pain, part 1: Impact of pain on the family. J Pediatr Nurs. 1994;9:368–379.

19.

19. Longman AJ , Atwood JR , Sherman JB , Benedict J. Care needs of home-based cancer patients and their caregivers. Cancer Nurs. 1992;15:182–190.

20.

20. Reed P. An emerging paradigm for the investigation of spirituality in nursing. Res Nurs Health. 1992;15:349–357.

21.

21. Hinds C. Suffering: A relatively unexplored phenomenon among family caregivers of non-institutionalized patients with cancer. J Adv Nurs. 1992;17:918–925.

22.

22. McDonald JC , Stetz KM , Compton K. Educational interventions for family caregivers during marrow transplant. Oncol Nurs Forum. 1996;23:1432–1439.