Understanding the Support Needs and Challenges Faced by Family Caregivers in the Care of Their Older Adults at Home. A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Background

As the global population ages, the demand for family caregivers is expected to increase, underscoring the necessity to comprehend their support needs and challenges they face. However, caregiving often comes with various challenges and support needs that require attention. This study was aimed to gain an in-depth understanding of the support needs and challenges faced by family caregivers who provide care to their elderly loved ones at home.

Methods

The study was conducted in Mekelle City, Ethiopia from December 2022 to October 2023 using a phenomenology study design and purposive sampling technique. A total of twenty-two in-depth interviews were conducted using an open-ended guide. The interviews were transcribed verbatim, entered into ATLAS.ti8 software, translated, and analyzed using a thematic analysis.

Results

The study found that family caregivers face communication, financial, medication management, and transportation challenges in caring for elderly relatives at home. It also highlighted several key support needs of family caregivers in the care of elderly relatives at home. These includes financial assistance, training, access to information, and support from healthcare professionals.

Limitations

Qualitative research, by its nature, is subjective as it relies on the perceptions and interpretations of the participants. Moreover, in qualitative studies, researchers typically work with a limited number of participants, in qualitative studies, researchers typically work with a limited number of participants, resulting in conclusions that may not reflect the experiences of all family caregivers.

Conclusion

This qualitative study underscored the multitude of challenges faced by family caregivers in their role as primary caregivers for elderly relatives. The research also highlighted the pressing need for support systems that would address the physical, emotional, financial, and informational needs of these caregivers.

Keywords:

• family caregivers
• older adults
• support needs
• challenges
• home care
• qualitative study

Abbreviations

IRB, Institutional review board; PI, Principal investigator; WHO, World health organization; UN, United Nation.

Data Sharing Statement

The datasets used and/analyzed during the current study available from the corresponding author on a reasonable request.

Ethics Approval and Informed Consent

We have confirmed that our study is conducted in accordance with the declaration of Helsinki. Ethical clearance was obtained from Mekelle University, College of Health Sciences, Institutional review board (IRB). Informed consent was received from the study participants. Participants were fully informed about the study’s purpose, procedures, potential risks, and benefits before they decided to participate voluntarily. Participants’ personal information and data were kept confidential and only disclosed as required by legal and ethical guidelines.

Consent for Publication

The researchers obtained the participant’s consent to publish their responses in a way that protects their anonymity.

Acknowledgment

We sincerely appreciate Mekelle University and want to express our deep gratitude to them. Furthermore, we wish to acknowledge and express our gratitude to the data collectors and study participants for their cooperation and willingness.

Author Contributions

All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation, or in all these areas; took part in drafting, revising or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflict of interest in this work.