2023 Volume 11 Issue 2 Pages 15-25
Purpose：This study aimed to clarify the structure of the perception of the family members who were primary care providers assisting non-gastrotomy older adults requiring home nursing care in eating.
Method：This study targeted participants included nine family members who were primary care providers assisting non-gastrotomy older adults requiring home nursing care with the help of home-visit nursing. A semi-structured interview was conducted on the perception of the participants toward "eating." Their responses were analyzed using the KJ method.
Result：The structure of the perception of family members who were primary care providers of older adults requiring nursing care for "eating" was integrated into three. Family members support [eating as a means of sustaining life and an activity] by [providing complete nursing care that includes food]. However, the relationship eventually shifts toward [being unable to stop the patient from losing the ability to eat], which contradicts the intention of the primary care provider.
Conclusion：Family members who were primary nursing care providers associate the "eating" of older adults requiring home nursing care with survival and vitality. They recognize that they were unable to do anything when the patient loses the ability to eat while taking responsibility for nursing care, including food. It was suggested that nursing care could be based on the perception structure of the family members who were primary care providers.
