Caregiving Experience of Female Primary Caregivers who Relocate Their Elderly Parents to Stay Closer

Abstract

This study aimed to elucidate caregiving provided to elderly parents who were relocated away from their homes so that they could be near female relatives who were their primary caregivers. Semi-structured interviews with 10 female primary caregivers were analyzed using qualitative analysis procedures. The results indicated that female primar y caregivers believed that “deciding to relocate their parents for providing caregiving was the best solution for everyone involved” and that they assumed “a central role in preparations for their parent’s relocation by organizing and preparing to move their parent’s personal belongings”. In addition, the study revealed the problems experienced by female primary caregivers with regard to providing caregiving to their parents both before and after relocation, including “concern regarding their parent’s health and lifestyle after relocation”, and “difficulties in coming to terms with the effects of the relocation on the parent–child relationship and their respective lifestyles”. It was further revealed that female primary caregivers felt that “the experience of providing caregiving helped them grow personally”, which then motivated them to continue providing caregiving.