Family Caregivers' Experiences and Changes in Caregiving Tasks During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Elliane Irani, Atsadaporn Niyomyart, Ronald L Hickman
PMID 33998836WHAT IT FOUND
Most family caregivers surveyed during COVID-19 said caregiving was more stressful than usual.
They reported more tasks, less outside support, and worry about infection and their loved one's isolation.
Key findings
0150 of 69 caregivers reported higher caregiving stress than usual during the pandemic.
0247 of 69 caregivers reported worry about getting sick and not being able to care for their loved one.
03Participants reported that they helped more than usual with emotional support, shopping, contacting healthcare providers, encouraging activity, and preparing meals.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The sample was a convenience sample of English-speaking, mostly highly educated US caregivers with internet access, so it may not represent broader caregiver groups. Open-ended questions about positive experiences were only asked of caregivers who reported less stress, and questions about challenges were only asked of caregivers who reported more stress, so some experiences may have been missed. The survey captured experiences during the pandemic, so it cannot show how caregiving changed over time. The care recipients had diverse chronic and disabling conditions, so findings may not apply to each condition.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest. The study received NIH support for Dr. Irani's postdoctoral training.
The easy way to misread this
Do not generalise these experiences to all family caregivers. The sample was a convenience sample of English-speaking, mostly highly educated US caregivers with internet access.