TY - JOUR
T1 - Exploring Social Support Experiences of Caregivers of Persons Living With Dementia in Hospice Care
AU - Cho, Hannah
AU - Sefcik, Justine S.
AU - Washington, Karla
AU - Parker Oliver, Debra
AU - Demiris, George
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2024.
PY - 2025/1
Y1 - 2025/1
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
KW - caregiving
KW - dementia
KW - hospice
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85202918365&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/07334648241275968
DO - 10.1177/07334648241275968
M3 - Article
C2 - 39214070
AN - SCOPUS:85202918365
SN - 0733-4648
VL - 44
SP - 62
EP - 69
JO - Journal of Applied Gerontology
JF - Journal of Applied Gerontology
IS - 1
ER -