The Lived Experiences of Family Caregivers in Caring for Older Adults at Risk of Falls: A Phenomenological Study.
Didi Kurniawan, Junaiti Sahar, Etty Rekawati and 1 others
PMID 41185864WHAT IT FOUND
Not knowing how to prevent falls, being exhausted, and making home changes were described by family caregivers of older adults at risk of falls.
They also faced stigma around walking aids and relied on traditional healers after falls.
Key findings
01Caregivers described stressors from low knowledge about preventing falls and physical and psychological burden, including fatigue and dizziness.
02They reported indoor hazards such as slippery bathroom floors, dim lighting, and clutter, plus outdoor hazards such as potholes and muddy yards.
03Their fall-prevention strategies included cleaning and installing handles, checking health, accompanying walking, and encouraging stretching or exercise.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The study included only 12 family caregivers, all women, all married, and all from one city in Indonesia, so it may not represent male caregivers, rural families, or other cultural contexts. It reports caregivers' experiences and perceptions, not measured fall rates or patient outcomes, so it cannot show that the described strategies prevented falls. The researcher had prior experience in community and geriatric nursing, and although bracketing and member checking were used, that background may have shaped interpretation. Purposive sampling required caregivers who could articulate experiences and had at least 6 months of caregiving, which may exclude newer or less verbal caregivers.
Declared interests
The supplied article text does not include a funding or conflict-of-interest declaration. The publication types list non-U.S. government research support.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read the caregivers' home changes, monitoring, and exercise as evidence that these strategies prevent falls. This was a qualitative study of 12 caregivers' experiences, not a trial, and it did not measure fall outcomes.