Caregiving Challenges Research Articles

Perceived Needs and Challenges of Non-State Caregivers in Palliative Care in Imphal West District Manipur: A Qualitative Study

Perceived Needs and Challenges of Non-State Caregivers in Palliative Care in Imphal West District Manipur: A Qualitative Study

Living with a Foggy Future: Experiences of Caregivers of Hemodialysis Patients

Background: Caregivers of hemodialysis patients experience several daily challenges due to the specific condition of their patients. It is necessary to study the challenges of this group to reduce the adverse effects on the caregivers and the patients. Accordingly, the present study aimed to describe the caregivers’ lived experiences of caring for hemodialysis patients. Methods: This was a qualitative study conducted using a phenomenological approach. The participants were 21 caregivers of hemodialysis patients from three hemodialysis centers in Qazvin, Iran who were selected using purposive and snowball sampling. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews and analyzed using Colaizzi’s seven-step method. Results: A total of 107 primary codes, 15 subcategories, 7 categories, and 3 main themes were extracted from the analysis of the interviews. The main themes included caregiver as the central pillar, fear of the foggy future, and the heavy burden of being judged by others. Conclusion: Caring for patients with hemodialysis constantly imposes many challenges for caregivers. The managers of hospitals and hemodialysis clinics can prevent the severe consequences experienced by caregivers and patients by planning and implementing individual development training courses and effective policies to enable caregivers.

“It’s a stressful, trying time for the caretaker”: an interpretive description qualitative study of postoperative transitions in care for older adults with frailty from the perspectives of informal caregivers

BackgroundOlder adults with frailty have surgery at a high rate. Informal caregivers often support the postoperative transition in care. Despite the growing need for family and caregiver support for this population, little is known about the experience of providing informal care to older adults with frailty during the postoperative transition in care. The purpose of this study was to explore what is important during a postoperative transition in care for older adults with frailty from the perspective of informal caregivers.MethodsThis was a qualitative study using an interpretive description methodology. Seven informal caregivers to older adults [aged ≥ 65 years with frailty (Clinical Frailty Scale score ≥ 4) who had an inpatient elective surgery] participated in a telephone-based, semi-structured interview. Audio files were transcribed and analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis.ResultsFour themes were constructed: (1) being informed about what to expect after surgery; (2) accessible communication with care providers; (3) homecare resources are needed for the patient; and (4) a support network for the caregivers. Theme 4 included two sub-themes: (a) respite and emotional support and (b) occupational support.ConclusionsTransitions in care present challenges for informal caregivers of older adults with frailty, who play an important role in successful transitions. Future postoperative transitional care programs should consider making targeted information, accessible communication, and support networks available for caregivers as part of facilitating successful transitions in care.

Talking treats: A qualitative study to understand the importance of treats in the pet-caregiver relationship

Treats are a prevalent aspect of pet care, frequently given by dog and cat caregivers for varying reasons. However, recommendations of reducing or eliminating treat feeding poses a common challenge, leading to potential non-adherence surrounding weight management practices. To explore caregivers’ perceptions and experiences surrounding treat feeding, we conducted five online focus groups with 24 dog and cat caregivers, recruited via an infographic shared on social media using snowball sampling. NVivo12© was used to organize and analyze verbatim transcripts using inductive thematic analysis. Outcomes illustrated three major themes: 1) the role of treats as an important tool for caregivers; 2) considerations for treat selection and provision; and 3) caregivers’ need for more and better information and support related to treats. Participants emphasized the importance of treats for managing behaviours, health-related activities, and enhancing the pet-caregiver relationship. Results suggest that the diverse and valued applications of treats, caregivers’ satisfaction associated with treat-giving, and perceived lack of guidance surrounding treats may present challenges for caregivers in reducing treat feeding with their pets. Findings highlight opportunities to enhance the available resources that can empower both veterinary professionals and caregivers to make well-informed decisions and foster sustainable changes in treat feeding practices to support weight management and overall health. Such considerations can improve client compliance with veterinary recommendations, to promote companion animal health and well-being while fostering the human-animal bond.

What do spouse primary caregivers of patients with glioblastoma want medical providers to know? A qualitative thematic reflexive analysis of letters written by primary caregivers from a secret Facebook support group

ObjectivesTo analyse the content of letters written by female spouse primary caregivers of patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), a devastating and terminal primary brain cancer, and give voice to their...

Explaining the challenges of Iranian caregivers in provision of home health care to spinal cord injury patients: a qualitative study

BackgroundThe incidence of spinal cord injury (SCI) is increasing across the globe. The caregivers of patients with spinal cord injuries experience many problems during providing care to these patients. Identifying the problems experienced by caregivers can facilitate the process of care provision to these patients. So, the aim of this study was to explore the challenges of caregivers in provision of home health care to SCI patients.MethodsThis study was conducted by qualitative description approach in Iran from Apr 2021 to Dec 2022. The participants included the caregivers of SCI patients recruited by purposive sampling. The data were collected by face-to-face interviews and analyzed using the method proposed by Lundman and Graneheim.ResultsTwo themes emerged from the data analysis, including burnout (with the categories of physical challenge and psychological challenges) and coping strategies (with the categories of social support and professional support).ConclusionResolving the obstacles and problems faced by home caregivers can improve the circumstances of care provision so that they can be relieved of their own physical and psychological conundrums and deliver suitable home care to SCI patients.Trial registration numberNot applicable.

The Resilience and Socioeconomic Status of Caregivers and School-Aged Children During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Objectives: Conducted during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario, Canada, the purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between (1) caregiver and child resilience; and (2) socioeconomic status (SES) and the resilience of both caregivers and children. Background: The COVID-19 pandemic introduced many unanticipated challenges for school-aged children and caregivers and navigating them required tremendous resilience. The degree to which the resilience of family members influenced one another or how it was related to economic hardships tied to the pandemic, particularly for members of low SES families, remains poorly understood. Methods: Online surveys were administered to 22 caregivers ( Mage = 40.45 years; SD = 4.55) and 27 children ( Mage = 8.19 years; SD = 1.14) to measure self-reported resilience and SES. Correlational analyses were conducted to assess both objectives. Results: Analyses detected no significant relationships between the resilience of caregivers and children, nor the resilience and SES of these groups. However, trends revealed that caregivers who reported “normal” levels of resilience had a higher average income than those who reported low levels of resilience. Conclusions: There is insufficient evidence to suggest a relationship between the resilience of caregivers and their children, but income levels may play a role in the resilience of caregivers. Implications: Targeting factors that help families with low SES navigate adversities, including those related to income, need to be identified and better understood to ensure a proactive and equitable public health response in future phases of the pandemic or similar situations.

Giving voice to the voiceless: Understanding the perceived needs of dementia family carers in Soweto, a South African township.

This qualitative study aimed to provide family caregivers with an independent platform to reflect on and identify their needs in the role of dementia caregiver. Thirty caregivers were interviewed using a semi-structured approach, and data analysis followed a reflective thematic analysis method. The study revealed that Black African caregivers in townships require sufficient information and orientation to dementia-specific services, psychoeducation on dementia as a disease and its behavioural manifestations, as well as practical skills to manage the disease process. Caregivers expressed the need for in-depth, accessible education to boost their confidence and resilience in handling the challenges of dementia caregiving. They also proposed community initiatives to raise awareness, promote knowledge, and facilitate early detection and diagnosis of dementia. Additional needs included informational and educational workshops, resources like transportation services and helplines, day care facilities, media campaigns, and collaboration with the government for funding and policy change. New caregivers were advised to seek comprehensive education, support, and services while preserving the dignity of their family members with dementia. Remarkably, the identified needs and community initiatives aligned with the priority areas outlined by ADI for a National Dementia Plan, which South Africa currently lacks. The study highlights the importance of developing a National Dementia Plan in South Africa through collaboration among stakeholders, including communities, policy-makers, and multidisciplinary healthcare teams, while ensuring that individuals and families affected by dementia have a voice.

Expectation, Attitude, and Barriers to Receiving Telehomecare Among Caregivers of Homebound or Bedridden Older Adults: Qualitative Study.

In recent years, telehomecare has become an increasingly important option for health care providers to deliver continuous care to their patients. This study aims to explore the expectations, attitudes, and barriers to telehomecare among caregivers of homebound or bedridden older adults. This qualitative study used semistructured interviews to explore caregivers' perspectives on telehomecare for homebound or bedridden older adults. The study adhered to the SRQR (Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research) guidelines. Participants were selected using convenience sampling from caregivers of homebound or bedridden older adults with experience in both in-person home visits and telehomecare services provided by the Department of Family Medicine at Chiang Mai University, in an urban area of Chiang Mai Province in Northern Thailand. Semistructured interviews were conducted. The interviews were audio recorded with participant consent and transcribed verbatim. The framework method was used, involving multiple readings of transcripts to facilitate familiarization and accuracy checking. The study used the technology acceptance model and comprehensive geriatric assessment as the analytical framework. The study included 20 caregivers of older adult patients. The patients were predominantly female (15/20, 75%), with an average age of 86.2 years. Of these patients, 40% (n=8) of patients were bedridden, and 60% (n=12) of patients were homebound. Caregivers expressed generally positive attitudes toward telehomecare. They considered it valuable for overall health assessment, despite recognizing certain limitations, particularly in physical assessments. Psychological assessments were perceived as equally effective. While in-person visits offered more extensive environmental assessments, caregivers found ways to make telehomecare effective. Telehomecare facilitated multidisciplinary care, enabling communication with specialists. Caregivers play a key role in care planning and adherence. Challenges included communication issues due to low volume, patient inattention, and faulty devices and internet signals. Some caregivers helped overcome these barriers. The loss of information was mitigated by modifying signaling equipment. Technology use was a challenge for some older adult caregivers. Despite these challenges, telehomecare offered advantages in remote communication and resolving scheduling conflicts. Caregivers varied in their preferences. Some preferred in-person visits for a broader view, while others favored telehomecare for its convenience. Some had no strong preference, appreciating both methods, while others considered the situation and patient conditions when choosing between them. Increased experience with telehomecare led to more confidence in its use. Caregivers have positive attitudes and high expectations for telehomecare services. Although there may be barriers to receiving care through this mode, caregivers have demonstrated the ability to overcome these challenges, which has strengthened their confidence in telehomecare. However, it is important to enhance the skills of caregivers and health care teams to overcome barriers and optimize the use of telehomecare.

Exploring the Lived Experiences of Caregiving for Older Family Members by Young Caregivers in Singapore: Transition, Trials, and Tribulations.

Amidst population ageing trends and epidemiological transitions, there has been a growing emergence of young family caregivers, about whom most studies have been conducted in Western countries. Their subjective experiences and perceptions toward caregiving remain underexplored in Asia. This qualitative study explored the lived experiences of caregiving for older family members by young caregivers in Singapore. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was employed to collect and analyse data from semi-structured, in-depth interviews with six young adult caregivers aged between 23 and 29. Interviews were supplemented with photo-elicitation techniques to deepen interview discussions and uncover experiential significance. Findings illustrated transitions into caregiving, challenges across role conflicts and expectations amidst developmental tasks and transitions, and navigation of intergenerational conflicts and ambivalence. Although no definitive conclusions can be reached from this small-scale study, the findings offer important insights into the convergence and intensity of young caregivers' experiences. Given that caregiving challenges are likely to continue amidst Singapore's rapidly ageing population, these necessitate further in-depth research efforts. Implications for policy and practice across multiple stakeholders interfacing with youth and older adults are presented. A whole-of-society approach is called for to enable young caregivers to realise their full potential while contributing to their ageing families and nation.

Epidermolysis Bullosa: Practical Clinical Tips From the Field.

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a rare genetic condition characterized by fragile skin caused by impaired adhesion between the dermis and epidermis. EB is present at or near birth. There is no cure and treatments are supportive. Children with EB are at elevated risk of squamous cell cancer. Under ideal circumstances, EB patients benefit from interdisciplinary care teams who can offer state-of-the-art treatments. In reality and particularly in less-developed nations, care can be limited.In all cases, families dealing with a member with EB face great challenges in caregiving, much of which is managed at home, and incur great financial expenses for dressings, equipment, transportation, and out-of-pocket expenses. While research groups are working to find a cure for EB, clinicians working with EB patients around the worldhave found practical and relatively inexpensive tips to make life easier for people with EB. NoBabyBlisters.org, a nonprofit organization actively supplying monthly medical supplies for EB children on five continents and working on EB research, has innovated, developed, collected, and now offers here seven such practical and actionable items learned from its experience in the real world assisting children in less-developed nations, typically with hot climates. These are based on real-world clinical experience dealing with a complex disorder under challenging circumstances. The goal of this short paper is to provide advice to EB caregivers and their loved ones that may make things easier and enhance quality of life, including blister and pain reduction.

The Past, Present, and Future of Oral Dosage Forms for Children.

The administration of medications to children has been a challenge for parents and caregivers for generations. Pharmaceutical companies have often overcome the difficulties of weight-based dosing and the -inability of most young children to swallow solid dosage forms by creating oral liquids. While oral liquids -offer advantages in terms of dose flexibility, swallowability, and ease of administration for young children and patients with enteral tubes, they have been plagued by issues such as taste, volume, and texture, to name a few. While the recommendations for broader use of oral syringes can help with the issue of measuring accuracy and incremental dosing, the issues of poor taste and frequently unacceptable volumes for doses remain a problem. New oral dosage forms which have begun to enter the United States marketplace have the potential to improve adherence and acceptability of oral medications for children, but come with their own unique challenges.

Reconciling Employment and Informal Caregiving for an Elderly Person at Home: Factors Influencing a Reduction in Employment due to Caregiving and Work-Related Wishes of Informal Caregivers

Reconciling informal caregiving and gainful employment is a challenge for many informal caregivers. The goals of this paper are to identify factors influencing care-related employment reduction, and to record work-related wishes for improving the compatibility of informal caregiving and being employed. Analyses were based on the cross-sectional Benefits of Being a Caregiver Study of 426 employed caregivers of an older person in need of care. Data were collected on characteristics of the care receivers and caregivers, and aspects of the caregiving and employment situation. Potential influencing factors of care-related employment reduction (n=426) were analyzed using binary logistic regression. The wishes regarding the compatibility of informal care at home and employment were examined descriptively using structured content analysis according to Mayring. One quarter of the employed informal caregivers (n=108) reduced their hours of employment due to the demands of caregiving. The profile of influencing factors of a care-related employment reduction was composed of a higher number of working hours, higher effort for activities of daily living, and co-residence with the care receiver. Employed caregivers primarily expressed a desire for flexibility in working hours, a reduction in working hours, and some concessions with regard to absenteeism. Relieving the burden on caregivers in the activities of daily living in form of formal and informal support services can probably reduce the likelihood of a care-related reduction in gainful employment.

Social Determinants of Health are Associated with Coping of Informal Caregivers of Adults with Heart Failure.

We explored the influence of social determinants of health (SDH) risk on stress and coping style in heart failure (HF) caregivers. In this cross-sectional study, data from 250 caregivers were analyzed. Multivariable linear regression analyses were performed to determine the extent to which SDH risk (measured using a modified PRAPARE tool (National Association of Community Health Centers), range 0-22) predicted stress (Perceived Stress Scale, 0-56) and coping style (active (0-45), avoidance (0-30), and minimization (0-30)) while accounting for caregiver burden (HF Caregiver Questionnaire (HF-CQ) 0-100). Multivariable regression analysis with backwards elimination variable selection approach was used to identify which SDH risk factors best predicted coping styles. SDH risk was significantly associated with avoidance and minimization coping styles. Each unit increase in SDH risk was associated with an increase of 0.6 ± 0.2 units (p = .0008) in avoidance and 0.7 ± 0.2 units (p < .0001) in minimization coping style. Race and "supporting others" significantly predicted avoidance coping style; scores were 3.3 ± 0.8 units greater for caregivers who were not White (p < .0001) and 1.4 ± 0.5 units greater (p < .01) for each additional person whom they supported. Race significantly predicted minimization coping style; scores were 4.4 ± 0.7 units greater for caregivers who were not White (p < .0001). Caregivers with higher SDH risk may avoid and minimize to cope with caregiving challenges.

Global Research on Care-Related Burden and Quality of Life of Informal Caregivers for Older Adults: A Bibliometric Analysis

As global populations continue to undergo demographic aging, the role of caregivers in providing essential support and assistance to older adults has become increasingly prominent. This demographic shift has led to a growing reliance on informal caregivers, often family members, who take on the responsibilities of caring for older adults. This not only affects immediate family dynamics but also holds broader implications for societal sustainability. The primary objective of this bibliometric analysis is to comprehensively examine the worldwide research output related to the quality of life and caregiver burden among individuals providing care to older adults. By understanding the worldwide research output related to caregivers and their quality of life and burden, we can assess the long-term sustainability of caregiving practices. We retrieved studies with titles containing the terms “caregivers”, “burden”, “quality of life”, and “aged” from the Web of Science (WOS) database. The collected publications were then subjected to analysis using the “bibliometric” package in the R programming environment. A total of 44 publications from 2006–2023 were included in the analysis. Spain emerged as the leading contributor in terms of the number of publications, accounting for 21.9%, followed by the USA at 16.5% and China at 13.6%. The most prolific institution was Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan, responsible for 25% of the publications. Among the authors, Cura-Gonzalez I.D. had the highest number of articles, contributing four publications, or 9.1% of the total output. An analysis of co-occurring keywords revealed that the predominant focus of the research revolved around caregiver burden, quality of life, health, care, stress, and impact, reflecting enduring areas of interest within this field. This bibliometric analysis may serve as a tool to provide insights into the current state of research on caregiver burden and quality of life among those caring for older adults. The results of this study can contribute to the assessment of research strategies and the encouragement of global cooperation in the field of care for older adults. By considering the multidimensional nature of caregiving challenges and promoting international cooperation, strides can be made towards sustainable caregiving practices that ensure the wellbeing of both caregivers and the aging population, thus safeguarding the sustainability of healthcare systems worldwide.

Parkinson's Disease Carepartners' Perceptions of the Challenges and Rewards of Caregiving.

Multiple debilitating symptoms and the progressive nature of Parkinson's disease (PD) affect carepartners' quality of life. Although, there is abundant knowledge on caregiver burden there is limited knowledge on PD carepartners' perceptions of caregiving. To understand family members' perception of their role, and of the challenges and rewards of PD caregiving. Using a qualitative descriptive research design, we conducted semi-structured interviews with current and former PD carepartners (n = 16). Interviews were audio-recorded, de-identified, and transcribed verbatim. Data were coded and analyzed to identify themes. We identified 5 themes: (a) Unpredictability is the hardest part of caregiving. It was hard to cope with the unpredictable daily and longer-term fluctuations in PD symptoms; (b) Disease progression and multiple symptoms contribute to carepartners' emotional distress. Carepartners felt unprepared and were saddened by the patient's and their own losses; (c) Caring for a family member is not a "burden." Though stressful, carepartners resisted associating caregiving with the term "burden"; (d) Caregiving is a partnership. Carepartners saw their role as being less of "givers" and more of partners in disease management; and (e) Caregiving is an opportunity for personal satisfaction, joy, and growth. Caregiving was seen as a "gift" that enabled carepartners to express love and experience personal growth. Despite challenges PD carepartners view their role as "partners" in the management of the disease and find meaning and strength in caregiving. A palliative care approach emphasizing the positives and challenges of caregiving may provide carepartners with better support.

Structured Life Narratives: Building Life Story Hierarchies with Graph-Enhanced Event Feature Refinement

The life stories of older adults encapsulate an array of personal experiences that reflect their care needs. However, due to inherent fuzzy features, fragmented natures, repetition, and redundancies, the practical application of the life story approach poses challenges for caregivers in acquiring and comprehending these narratives. Addressing this challenge, our study introduces a novel approach called Life Story Hierarchies with Graph-Enhanced Event Feature Refinement (LSH-GEFR). LSH-GEFR constructs a bilayer graph. Firstly, the event element map leverages intricate relationships between event elements to extract environmental features, providing a detailed context for understanding each event element. Secondly, the event map explores the complex web of relationships between the events themselves, allowing LSH-GEFR to generate a comprehensive understanding of each event and enhance its representation. Subsequently, we conducted experiments on different datasets and found that, in comparison with four advanced event tree generation methods, the proposed LSH-GEFR method outperformed them in terms of path coherence, branch reasonableness, and overall readability when generating life story hierarchies. Over 84.91% of the structured life narratives achieved readability, marking a 5.96% increase over the best-performing approach at the baseline.

Quality of Life and Incidence of Clinical Signs and Symptoms among Caregivers of Persons with Mental Disorders: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Caring for individuals with mental disorders poses significant challenges for caregivers, often leading to compromised quality of life and mental health issues such as stress, anxiety, and depression. This study aims to assess the extent of these challenges among caregivers in Greece, identifying which demographic factors influence their well-being. A total of 157 caregivers were surveyed using the SF-12 Health Survey for quality-of-life assessment and the DASS-21 questionnaire for evaluating stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms. t-tests, Kruskal-Wallis tests, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and regression analyses were applied to understand the associations between demographics, quality of life, and mental health outcomes. The study found that caregivers, especially women and younger individuals, faced high levels of mental health challenges. Marital status, educational level, and employment status also significantly influenced caregivers' well-being. Depression was the most significant factor negatively correlating with the mental component of quality of life. The magnitude of the burden experienced by caregivers highlighted the urgency for targeted social and financial support, as well as strategic treatment programs that consider caregiver well-being. Caregivers of individuals with mental disorders endure significant stress, anxiety, and depression, influencing their quality of life. Demographic factors such as age, gender, marital status, education, and employment status have notable impacts. Findings emphasize the need for society-wide recognition of caregivers' roles and the creation of comprehensive support and intervention programs to alleviate their burden, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Perspectives of telemedicine-based services among family caregivers of patients with end-of-life cancer: a qualitative study in mainland China

BackgroundDespite being driven by a strong sense of duty and familial obligation, providing care for patients nearing the end of life poses challenges for family caregivers. Telemedicine has rapidly gained traction as a transformative approach to healthcare delivery, offering an array of benefits that could be particularly valuable in end-of-life care. However, research on the perspectives of telemedicine-based services among family caregivers of patients with end-of-life cancer is limited. Therefore, this study aims to explore the perspectives and preferences of telemedicine-based services among family caregivers of patients with end-of-life cancer and provide a framework for developing and executing a tailored telemedicine-based end-of-life care program that addresses the unique needs of family caregivers in mainland China.MethodA descriptive phenomenological approach was used. Family caregivers were selected using purposive sampling at a tertiary cancer hospital. One-on-one semi-structured interviews were conducted with the participants from November to December 2022. Colaizz’s method was used to analyze the interviews.ResultsFourteen participants participated in interviews. Three themes and ten subthemes were identified: motivation to receive telemedicine services (relief from the burden of home care; access to professional health care services), supportive care needs for telemedicine services (support for symptom management; negative emotional adjustment; death education; daily life care guidance), and functional expectations of telemedicine service platforms (ease of use; real-time online guidance and response; personalized automatic reminder; targeted matching push of health knowledge).ConclusionFamily caregivers expressed interest in telemedicine-based services and identified various care needs before receiving telemedicine services. The findings of this study can help policymakers and healthcare providers develop more effective and culturally appropriate telemedicine-based service programs that can better support family caregivers of end-of-life cancer patients.

Psychological challenges of female caregivers in providing home-based palliative care for patients with advanced cancer: A descriptive-exploratory study.

Family caregivers play a key role in providing care for patients with advanced cancer. Most of this care burden is shouldered by female caregivers in the family. Compared to their male counterparts, female caregivers face numerous psychological challenges in the process of caregiving. The aim of this study was to identify the psychological challenges of female caregivers in providing care to patients with advanced cancer. This descriptive-exploratory study began with purposive sampling method in 2020-2021 in Isfahan and continued until data saturation was reached. Twenty semi-structured interviews were conducted with female caregivers of patients with advanced cancer and 18 more interviews with providers of health services and supportive-palliative care. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using conventional qualitative content analysis. The results were classified into three categories. The first category was psychological reactions that included the four subcategories of depression and anxiety, aggression, mental exhaustion, and death anxiety; the second category was psychological needs which included the three subcategories of need for professional counseling, need for emotional support, and need to prepare for mourning; and the third category was mental occupations which consisted of the two subcategories of feeling of regret and remorse. Assessment of psychological challenges is a prerequisite for planning psychological interventions, providing high-quality care, and improving quality of life and satisfaction of caregivers. The findings of this study will contribute to the development of guidelines and empowerment programs for female caregivers providing palliative care.