FAMILY MEMBERS PROVIDING HOME-BASED PALLIATIVE CARE TO OLDER ADULTS: THE ENACTMENT OF MULTIPLE ROLES
Date of Award
2006
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Nursing
Program
Nursing
Supervisor
Dr. Catherine Ward-Griffin
Abstract
Canadians are experiencing increased life expectancy and chronic illness (Health Canada, 2002) requiring end-of-life care (Fisher, Ross, & MacLean, 2000). There is limited research on the process of enacting multiple roles for family members providing home-based palliative care. Based on a larger ethnographie study of client-family- provider relationships in home-based palliative care (Ward-Griffin & McWilliam, 2004), the purpose of this qualitative secondary analysis was to explore the enactment of multiple roles for family members providing home-based palliative care to seniors with advanced cancer. Family members experienced multiple expectations to provide care but felt their expectations of services were unmet. The process of enacting multiple roles was depicted by three interrelated themes: Balancing, Re-prioritizing and Evolving. Positive and negative health responses resulted from attempts to minimize personal health while simultaneously maintaining health. “True” family-centred care was found to be lacking, but should be a goal of health professionals involved in end-of-life care.
Recommended Citation
Clemmer, Sarah Jane, "FAMILY MEMBERS PROVIDING HOME-BASED PALLIATIVE CARE TO OLDER ADULTS: THE ENACTMENT OF MULTIPLE ROLES" (2006). Digitized Theses. 5120.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/digitizedtheses/5120