Survey of diet and meal preparation by Japanese bereaved caregivers for terminal cancer patients followed at home

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to clarify diet and meal preparation for terminal cancer patients followed at home. A cross-sectional survey was administered to bereaved caregivers of 200 cancer patients who received home care from five palliative care clinics in Kobe in 2014. The response rate was 66% and the average age of the caregivers was 62 years. Overall, 57% of caregivers reported distress regarding diet and meal preparation for patients. The independent determinants of distress were the experience of coaching from medical staff （P=0.012）; how to help patients with eating; difficulties in cooking and meal preparation （P=0.001）; and helping with eating for anorexic patients （P=0.004）. Due to the paucity of the evidence about diet and meal preparation for cancer patients, caregivers may not be receiving sufficient specific and practical dietary instruction from medical staff.