Exploring Social Support Experiences of Caregivers of Persons Living With Dementia in Hospice Care

Hannah Cho, Justine S. Sefcik, Karla Washington, Debra Parker Oliver, George Demiris

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

As the number of persons living with dementia (PLWD) enrolling in hospice care rises, caregiver support becomes increasingly crucial. While social support can help buffer caregiver stress, many caregivers report feeling isolated and having unmet needs, highlighting the limited research on this population. This qualitative descriptive study aimed to better understand caregivers’ social support during the period when the PLWD is enrolled in hospice care. Analyzing qualitative data from 22 caregivers of PLWD using conventional content analysis, we identified the theme “Variations in Social Connections.” This theme encompasses two subthemes: “never completely alone,” indicating social support from family, friends, and neighbors, and “disappointed sometimes,” reflecting instances when some individuals in the caregivers’ lives couldn’t provide regular support. These findings underscore the need for individualized interventions, as each caregiver experiences social support uniquely. Future research should consider the variations in social support among caregivers of PLWD to inform caregiving practices effectively.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)62-69
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Applied Gerontology
Volume44
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2025

Keywords

  • caregiving
  • dementia
  • hospice

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Exploring Social Support Experiences of Caregivers of Persons Living With Dementia in Hospice Care'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this