THE LIVED EXPERIENCE OF WIVES CARING FOR THEIR FRAIL HOMEBOUND ELDERLY HUSBANDS WITH PRESSURE ULCERS: A PHENOMENOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION.
Contributors: Adelphi University.
Published: 1993
Number of pages: 246
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.; Social Work.; Health Sciences, Public Health.
Description: The purpose of this study was to describe and gain understanding into the lived experience of women caring for their frail homebound elderly husbands with pressure ulcers in the home. By gaining insight into these women's caregiving experiences, health care professionals will be better prepared to provide innovative community education, support services, family counseling, influence policy changes at varying levels, and influence needed legislative changes.

Utilizing Spiegelberg's phenomenological method the caregiving experience of six elderly women was illuminated. The methods of data collection and storage included in-depth face-to-face audio-taped interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire and demographic data sheets; fieldnotes; and home assessments where possible. All interviews were transcribed verbatim, data coded, and subjected to intense thematic analysis.

Five major themes were identified in this study: (1) difficult caregiving which was further delineated into the physical, emotional, safety, and financial realms; (2) frailty of the caregiver; (3) limited socialization; (4) limited social support systems; and (5) limited caregiving knowledge. The theme of limited social support systems specifically addressed the actual role of, utilization of, and the caregiver's perception of need, related to the home health attendant, adult child, extended family, neighbor, paid untrained assistant, and health care delivery system. The two minor recurring themes were (a) fear regarding the future, and (b) symbolic meaning of the pressure ulcer. Although the seven identified themes were described separately, they are interrelated in the caregiver's total experience.

The results of this study add to the current caregiving literature, as well as provide insight into the unexplored experience of family caregivers to those with pressure ulcers. This study offers implications for nursing practice, health professionals' education, health care policy reform, and recommendations for future research.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 55-01, Section: B, page: 0076.

Thesis (PH.D.)--ADELPHI UNIVERSITY, 1993.

School code: 0001.