Spousal Caregiving in the Institutional Setting: Task Performance

Abstract

RÉSUMÉCette étude examine le phénomène des soins donnés par l'épouse à la suite du placement en établissement de son conjoint âgé. En théorie, l'étude puise dans la perspective d'interprétation sociologique et dans le concept de carriére. Son aspect méthodologique repose sur un cadre longitudinal et prospectif et réunit les approches quantitatives et qualitatives. Les données sont tirées d'une etude plus vaste qui explorait la transition vers un état de quasi-veuvage. L'article traite d'un aspect des soins suivant l'admission de l'époux en centre de soins à long terme, soit de l'accomplissement des tâches. Aux termes de l'etude, les épouses effectuent un nombre substantiel et varié de tâches reliées aux soins personnels, instrumentaux, relationnels et récréatifs. Elles considêrent les visites comme la plus importante de leur tâche mais accordent également une valeur importante à la présence, á l'amour et à l'appui, aux petites choses qu'elles font pour leur mari et à la surveillance de leur santé et de leur bien-être. Généralement, elles exécutent des tâches qu'elles jugent du ressort de leurs responsabilités. La réalisation des tâches se place dans un contexte servant à expliquer, en partie, leur engagement continu dans la fourniture des soins apràs l'admission de leur époux en établissement de soins de longue durée. La portée de cette étude souligne le besoin de collaboration entre les épouses soignantes et le personnel dans une perspective de maintien et d'augmentation de la qualityé des soins accorded par les épouses aînées dont le conjoint est placé en établissement.

Is there a Difference between Family Caregiving of Institutionalized Elders with or without Dementia?

“…Such support can serve to increase the caregivers' understanding of their experience and to increase their awareness of possible solutions to their problems. Ross et al (1997a) found that 9 months after admission, some wife caregivers became less involved in providing care and reported less symptoms of depression. As mentioned by these authors, excellent nursing care may assure them that their relatives are receiving appropriate care and allow them to "concentrate on other aspects of their lives rather than on the provision of care" (Ross et al, 1997a, p. 95).…”

“…As mentioned by these authors, excellent nursing care may assure them that their relatives are receiving appropriate care and allow them to "concentrate on other aspects of their lives rather than on the provision of care" (Ross et al, 1997a, p. 95). Ross et al (1997a) also underlined that caregivers who want to remain involved with caring should be helped to do so in ways that do not compromise their psychological wellbeing. As informal support also plays an important role in relation to psychological distress, nurses could assist caregivers in strengthening their ability to seek and accept social support from their network.…”

The Care Continues: Responsibility for Elderly Relatives Before and After Admission to a Long Term Care Facility*

“…During visits, families may engage in a variety of activities/tasks that provide them with a purpose. Ross, Rosenthal, and Dawson (1997) report that wives of institutionalized husbands viewed visiting as their most important task, although, they continued to perform personal, instrumental, relational and recreational care tasks. Just over one‐third of the 45 wives interviewed were heavily involved in providing emotive support and performing care tasks (Ross et al, 1997).…”

“…Ross, Rosenthal, and Dawson (1997) report that wives of institutionalized husbands viewed visiting as their most important task, although, they continued to perform personal, instrumental, relational and recreational care tasks. Just over one‐third of the 45 wives interviewed were heavily involved in providing emotive support and performing care tasks (Ross et al, 1997). In another study involving spouses, visiting, talking and participating in various activities while at the facility helped to preserve marriages and familiar role relationships (Gladstone, 1995).…”

“…Conversely, family members in several studies report the lack of anything to do during visits as a deterrent to staying involved with their older relatives. This difficulty is particularly evident when communication is impaired or when the resident has problems with recognition (Ross et al, 1997; Safford, 1980; York & Calsyn, 1977). In addition, family caregivers continue to experience a significant amount of stress with caregiving in the nursing home as compared to caregiving in the community.…”