Abstract
Background: The number of persons who have to overcome extensive geographical distances for caring for their older parent(s), hereinafter referred to as long-distance caregiving relatives (LDCs), is rising. However, in the non-English-speaking Global North, little is known about the LDCs’ health literacy and the design of tailor-made health promotion measures for this target-group. Using the example of nursing care discussion forums (NCDF), this paper reflects the requirements and (future) potential of professionally-lead support groups for LDCs on the case-study example of Upper Austria. Methods: In order to approach this unexplored topic considering spatial-related aspects, a qualitative-explorative study design was chosen, focusing on the providers’ perspective. A written survey among all NCDF-group leaders was carried out. Results: LDCs do not make use of NCDFs at present. It is considered that this is above all for time constraints, lack of information and location-based problems of fit. This applies for urban as well as rural contexts. Conclusions: LDCs need more attention in public health. Suitable NCDFs have to be located in the LCDs’ residential municipalities and have to fulfill different requirements from those of local caregiving relatives, particularly with regard to purpose and scope.
Highlights
Due to demographic aging—caused by an increase in life expectancy and declining birth rates [1,2]—the discussion on financing care services for the elderly and the fact that nursing careers differently takes long [3], especially in the Global North, family caregiving relatives have become a target group of public health [4,5]
The initial consideration was to draft a conceptual contribution on long-distance caregiving relatives (LDCs) in Austria in order to introduce this target group to the relevant stakeholder in public health
Perspective referring to the interrelations of demand, supply and location issues that determine the use of nursing care discussion forums (NCDF) of two different groups of caregiving relatives: local caregivers and LDCs
Summary
The discussion on financing care services for the elderly and the fact that nursing careers differently takes long [3], especially in the Global North, family caregiving relatives have become a target group of public health [4,5]. This is because caregiving relatives are an essential pillar of domestic care for older family members [5,6] and help to fulfill the central wish of older people—namely, staying at home as long as possible [7]. Suitable NCDFs have to be located in the LCDs’ residential municipalities and have to fulfill different requirements from those of local caregiving relatives, with regard to purpose and scope
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