ABSTRACT
In this study, we investigated caregiver's death representation in hospice. The results presented here are a further analysis of the data collected in our previous study, concerning the evaluation of the caregiver in hospice. The data analysis of 24 caregivers of patients hospitalized in Rimini Hospice (Italy) underlined that caregivers avoiding death representation of the patient admitted to hospice had fewer protective factors (52.3%) and more risk factors (47.7%) than caregivers nonavoiding (66.5% and 33.5%, respectively). Caregivers avoiding death representation, moreover, experienced a greater distress (58%) than those nonavoiding (42%).
Subject(s)
Attitude to Death , Caregivers/psychology , Hospices , Adaptation, Psychological , Adult , Aged , Awareness , Female , Humans , Italy , Male , Middle Aged , Risk Factors , Social SupportABSTRACT
In this study we report the results of construction and administration of a semi-structured interview for the evaluation of caregivers in hospice. The results presented here are related to interviews (n = 25) that were administered at Rimini Hospice. According to the interview coding system, it was possible to identify thematic areas of the interviews where the caregiver's distress was mainly concentrated. As concerning the care burden, greater distress was detected in areas relating to the change in the rhythm of life (38%) and in social network (26%); whereas, as concerning the psychological burden, a greater distress was detected in the area related to the caregiver role (51%). In conclusion, a singular element identified as a source of distress in, our study, is that of social network.
