Conceptions of daily life in women living with a man suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract

Four main descriptive categories were found: unchanged life situation where no support was needed; socially restricted life and changed roles; changes in health; and changes in the couple's relationship where support was needed. The categories are described in relation to the woman herself, in relation to the man, and in relation to others. No support was needed from society or health care when the men had mild COPD and the women experienced no change in their daily life. As the disease progressed, the women's responsibilities increased and their role changed from being a spouse to being an informal carer. Social contacts became limited, and they began to feel isolated. The women prioritized their spouse's health and well-being and compromised their own health. They experienced lack of support from health professionals and from the municipality.

Informal caregivers of patients with COPD: Home Sweet Home?

“…Indeed, caregivers report a lack of information, and emotional and practical support [25,26]. Informal caregivers have to rely upon extended family support [10], and they become an integral part of the care support system in the home [12].…”

“…In this context, shared activities and familiar ways of being together as a couple could change [26] or completely disappear [31]. Moreover, informal caregivers experienced similar losses to the patients in terms of social life, shared experiences and the expected future [32].…”

“…For example, 16% of couples declared that smoking had a negative impact on their relationship and 42% stated that smoking had a negative impact on the family budget [30]. Furthermore, for some caregivers the coughing caused feelings of disgust, leading to difficulties in kissing their loved one [26]. This, together with the fact that sexual intercourse was considered too strenuous for the patient, changed the intimate relationship [26,30,35].…”

“…Furthermore, for some caregivers the coughing caused feelings of disgust, leading to difficulties in kissing their loved one [26]. This, together with the fact that sexual intercourse was considered too strenuous for the patient, changed the intimate relationship [26,30,35]. Although almost all caregivers felt that the patient needed their support [26], some caregivers persevered because of a sense of duty described in terms of marriage vows and societal expectations [31].…”

“…This, together with the fact that sexual intercourse was considered too strenuous for the patient, changed the intimate relationship [26,30,35]. Although almost all caregivers felt that the patient needed their support [26], some caregivers persevered because of a sense of duty described in terms of marriage vows and societal expectations [31]. By contrast, for some couples the relationship deepened [26].…”