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Understanding the experiences and psychosocial support needs of caregivers of people with comorbid dementia and cancer.
- Source :
-
Psychology & Health . Oct2024, Vol. 39 Issue 10, p1428-1450. 23p. - Publication Year :
- 2024
-
Abstract
- Background: Family carers of people living with comorbid dementia and cancer (CDC) play a vital supportive role, but this may be particularly burdensome and adversely impact their own health and wellbeing. Objective: To examine the experiences and psychosocial support needs of caregivers of people with CDC. Methods: A flyer advertising the study was distributed to relevant UK voluntary sector organisations and shared across social media. 13 carers of people with CDC were recruited. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted and transcripts were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis, underpinned by an inductive phenomenological approach. Results: Complex interactions of dementia and cancer resulted in heightened responsibility for carers, who played a crucial role in recognition/management of symptoms, performing difficult cancer-related care, and treatment decision-making that posed difficult ethical challenges. Care-recipients had reduced insight into their cancer diagnosis and prognosis, so carers often carried the emotional burden alone. Responsibilities faced by carers were compounded by a lack of targeted, accessible information/support for CDC. Carers expressed a desire to talk to and learn from others who understand the unique challenges of navigating cancer-related decision-making, treatment and care for people who are also living with dementia. Conclusions: Cancer alongside dementia presents complex challenges for carers, who desire more cancer-related information and support which is tailored to people living with dementia and their family caregivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- *NONPROFIT organizations
*SOCIAL media
*RESEARCH funding
*INTERVIEWING
*DISEASE management
*DECISION making
*PATIENT care
*CANCER patients
*EMOTIONS
*ADVERTISING
*THEMATIC analysis
*RESEARCH methodology
*TUMORS
*DEMENTIA
*SOCIAL support
*PSYCHOLOGY of caregivers
*NEEDS assessment
*PHENOMENOLOGY
*CAREGIVER attitudes
*ACCESS to information
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 08870446
- Volume :
- 39
- Issue :
- 10
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Psychology & Health
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 179482970
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1080/08870446.2022.2157030