Characteristics of Support Provided by Visiting Nurses to Caregivers who Live Apart from the Care Recipient and Commute from a Short Distance to Provide Care

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the present study was to elucidate the characteristics of support provided by visiting nurses to caregivers who live apart from the care recipient, focusing on caregivers who commute from a short distance to provide care. Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews of thirteen visiting nurses with regard to the support for caregivers who live apart from the care recipient and commute from a short distance to provide care. The data obtained were analyzed based on the ethnographic method. Results: As support provided by visiting nurses to caregivers living apart from the care recipient, we extracted the following eight categories: “relationship-building from the start with limited contact,” “consistent support by related professionals through information sharing,” “support in times of emergency to bring peace of mind remotely,” “promoting decision-making for the future,” “advice to improve the coping ability of the individual caregiver living apart,” “involvement to prevent decline of the will to provide care,” “contact to fill the information gap,” and “support that prioritized the lifestyle of the caregiver living apart with multiple roles.” Conclusions: when the caregiver lives apart from the care recipient, we found support to be fundamental and which characteristics make said support efficient; thus, support that features such characteristics should be provided.