Caregivers’ Experiences in Caring for the Elderly
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26463/rjns.12_2_5Keywords:
Caregivers’ experiences, Elderly populationAbstract
Background: Caring for the elderly is one of the most important aspects of primary health care, very few studies have been done on the experiences of caregivers in India.
Aim of the study: To explore the subjective experiences of the caregivers in caring for the elderly population.
Methods: This research study adopted qualitative research methods, and the design was phenomenology. The study used non-random sampling techniques, particularly, purposive sampling technique was applied to select a sample size of ten. Till data saturation, in-depth interview was conducted using open ended questions. The audio taped interviews were transcribed, meanings were formulated and emerging themes were identified. Content analysis was used for analysing the data.
Results: Six themes that emerged revealed the physical, psychological, social, economical, vocational and spiritual effects on caregivers of elderly.
Conclusion: The research finding of this study indicated that even though the task of caring for the elderly is rewarding and positive, there are challenges in the caregiving task that did not stand out as positive experiences. The study also revealed that with the increase in the age of the elderly, the strain and challenges in the caregiving also increased.
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