A Study of the Characteristics, Experiences, Emotions, Needs of Primary Caregivers Whose Relatives Were Admitted to a Short Term Rehabilitation Unit in a Healthcare Community
Abstract
characteristics of primary caregivers and their emotional experiences at the time of the admission of an older relative to a short term rehabilitation unit of a health care community. The findings indicated that the majority of primary caregivers are adult children and spouses. In addition, the research indicated that family members assume the primary responsibility for their older relatives while they reside in the community. The results of this research differed significantly from studies of long-term care in regards to the emotions experienced at the time of the admission. This study found that primary caregivers experienced peace and comfort with the admission of their older relative. Feelings of anger, guilt and frustration were found to be. low. This differed significantly to previous studies which examined the emotional experiences of primary caregivers during the long-term care placement of an older relative to a health care community.