Abstract
The traditional structure of families is undergoing profound changes, causing the so-called “crisis of family care.” This study describes the experiences and emotions of the family member who hires migrant caregivers for the older people. This is a qualitative study using a phenomenological design with nine women participants between 53 and 72 years of age. The data collection was carried out through two in-depth interviews and a focus group. There were three major topics: (1) the women in this study recognized that they were not able to take care of the family member directly, due to their responsibilities as female workers and mothers. The fact that migrant caregivers were chosen was conjunctural, where economic reasons were more important. (2) The family members supported the caregivers by teaching them about care and also resolving conflicts produced by culture shock. (3) Trusting the caregiver was a gradual process; the family members felt a complex set of emotions (insecurity, gratitude for the help, moral obligation). In conclusion, they wanted a caregiver who would provide the elder dependent with the love and compassion that they, as daughters, would provide if they had time to do so. The family became the caregiver’s managers and assumed the responsibility of training and helping them.
Highlights
With the rise of the older population, the number of people dependent on others when performing basic activities of daily living (ADLs) increases
None of them, except the wife, lived with the care recipient. They did acknowledge carrying out a regime of daily visits, they were more intense when caregivers began to work, and the visits relaxed as the caregiver gained experience and took care of responsibilities
We identified three major topics and several subtopics, with respect to each of the research questions raised, as follows: (1) ‘Decisions’ explored the reasons why the relatives decided to hire caregivers, through the following subtopics: ‘I want him/her to be at home, but I cannot care for him/her’; and ‘I want a good caregiver’. (2) ‘Experiences’ comprised two subtopics: ‘adaptation’, with its own subtopics (‘the older person: depends on, needs ... and accepts it’; and ‘the caregiver: learns, respects . . . and adapts’), and ‘matter of confidence’. (3) ‘How I feel’ presented the emotions and reflections shared by the participants
Summary
With the rise of the older population, the number of people dependent on others when performing basic activities of daily living (ADLs) increases. Western social health systems, regulated by the Dependency Law in Spain [3], do not guarantee adequate care for people with long-term care needs [4] In this country, the responsibility for this care has traditionally rested on the family [5,6,7,8], redefining family as “the group of people who care for dependents without seeking any direct and immediate monetary compensation” [9]. Women have begun to expand their world by leaving their homes to work This focus group discussion is designed to know your current thoughts and feelings about your experience in hiring foreign caregivers to take care of your dependent relative. If there are any questions or discussions that you do not wish to answer or participate in, you do not have to do so; please try to answer and be as involved as possible
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