Care-sharing among Multiple Family Members for Home Care

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate care-sharing among multiple family members of older adults. We have interviewed 8 primary family caregivers of older adults who use home visit nursing. Data were analyzed qualitatively, and similar contents were grouped to develop categories. Cases with good family cooperation and those with limited cooperation were compared. Actual care-sharing varied among the cases; some secondary caregivers share multiple aspects of care and spend much time for care upon the request of the primary caregiver, while others take responsibility in specific time or content of care and assist the primary caregiver on a regular basis. Cases with good cooperation also had several common characteristics: the whole family is motivated to provide care for the older adult, the primary caregiver is mainly authorized to decide how they share care and the secondar y caregiver answers the primar y caregiver’s request, the family shares attachment to the care recipient and understanding regarding care situation. Professional assistance may be possible in such areas as common understanding regarding care situation or active communication among the family, in order to promote effective care-sharing among multiple family members.