It’s Like Juggling, Constantly Trying to Keep All Balls in the Air”

A Qualitative Study of the Support Needs of Working Caregivers Taking Care of Older Adults

Datos Bibliográficos

ID15475263
AutoresEline E Vos (0000-0001-6822-4009, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment), Eline Vos, Simone R de Bruin (0000-0002-0883-5956, Windesheim University of Applied Sciences), Allard J van der Beek (0000-0002-4672-9062, Amsterdam University Medical Centers), Karin I Proper (0000-0001-7016-1625, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, autor de correspondencia)
Año2021
Volumen18
Número11
Páginas5701-5701
Fecha de publicación2021-05-26
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
EditorialMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph18115701
PMID34073386
OpenAlexW3165448026
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas9
Referencias citadas38

Many informal caregivers of older adults combine their caregiving tasks with a paid job. Adequate support is important to enable them to combine paid work with caregiving, while maintaining their health and wellbeing. To date, however, knowledge about working caregivers' support needs is fragmented. This study, therefore, aimed to obtain more insight into the support needs of working caregivers of older adults. We conducted six online semi-structured focus group interviews with in total 25 working caregivers of older adults living at home. Data were complemented with information from seven working caregivers participating in the study's advisory board. Data were analyzed using inductive and deductive thematic analysis. Six themes related to working caregivers' needs were identified: (1) Recognition of caregivers, including the challenges they face; (2) Attention for caregivers' health, wellbeing and ability to cope; (3) Opportunities to share care responsibilities; (4) Help with finding and arranging care and support; (5) Understanding and support from the work environment; (6) Technological support tailored to the needs and capacities of caregivers and older adults. To address these needs, working caregivers suggested several options in multiple domains of life (i.e., work, home and social life, care environment, personal health and wellbeing). To successfully support them, a multi-faceted effort, involving actors from multiple settings, is needed

Business · Focus group · Health care · Qualitative research · Social support · Thematic analysis · Work (physics · Applied Psychology · Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research · Geriatric Care and Nursing Homes · Intergenerational Family Dynamics and Caregiving · Medicine · Nursing · Psychology · Social Psychology · Gerontology