TY - JOUR
T1 - Informal hospice caregiving
T2 - The toll on quality of life
AU - Wilder, Heidi M.
AU - Parker Oliver, Debra
AU - Demiris, George
AU - Washington, Karla
N1 - Funding Information:
ABSTRACT. A primary goal in hospice philosophy is to enhance quality of life for both patients and families. Informal family caregivers are essential for the provision of hospice services, but past research has demonstrated a social, emotional, financial, and physical toll associated with this role. The present study investigated This study was funded by the National Cancer Institute R21 CA120179; John A. Hartford Faculty Scholars Program; Summer Training on Aging Research Topics-Mental Health Program conducted by the Division of Geriatric Psychiatry at University of California—San Diego, with support from the National Institute of Mental Health.
PY - 2008
Y1 - 2008
N2 - A primary goal in hospice philosophy is to enhance quality of life for both patients and families. Informal family caregivers are essential for the provision of hospice services, but past research has demonstrated a social, emotional, financial, and physical toll associated with this role. The present study investigated self-reported caregiver quality of life in four domains upon patient admission to hospice (n=76) and 1 month later (n=45). Significant decreases were found for emotional, social, and total quality of life. Average social quality of life was initially the highest domain but became the lowest after 1 month. Physical quality of life was lowest initially and decreased slightly. Interpretations and implications of results are given.
AB - A primary goal in hospice philosophy is to enhance quality of life for both patients and families. Informal family caregivers are essential for the provision of hospice services, but past research has demonstrated a social, emotional, financial, and physical toll associated with this role. The present study investigated self-reported caregiver quality of life in four domains upon patient admission to hospice (n=76) and 1 month later (n=45). Significant decreases were found for emotional, social, and total quality of life. Average social quality of life was initially the highest domain but became the lowest after 1 month. Physical quality of life was lowest initially and decreased slightly. Interpretations and implications of results are given.
KW - Caregiver
KW - Hospice
KW - Longitudinal
KW - Palliative care
KW - Quality of life
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=71049190438&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/15524250903081566
DO - 10.1080/15524250903081566
M3 - Review article
AN - SCOPUS:71049190438
SN - 1552-4256
VL - 4
SP - 312
EP - 332
JO - Journal of Social Work in End-of-Life and Palliative Care
JF - Journal of Social Work in End-of-Life and Palliative Care
IS - 4
ER -