The role and contribution of family carers accompanying community‐living older people with cognitive impairment to the emergency department: An interview study

BackgroundOlder people with cognitive impairment may have lack of understanding of their health and ability to co-ordinate care needs. Family carers play a key role in supporting older people but the role of family carers in emergency discharge has not been explored well.ObjectiveTo explore and describe the role and contribution of family carers accompanying the older person with cognitive impairment to the emergency department.DesignA exploratory descriptive study was conducted in which telephone interviews were performed.SettingThree emergency departments located in metropolitan Sydney, Australia; two major tertiary referral centres and one district hospital. The EQUATOR research checklist (COnsolidated criteria for REporting Qualitative research) (COREQ) was used to report the qualitative study.SubjectsParticipants were family carers accompanying people aged ≥64 years with cognitive impairment; with non-urgent triage classifications; English speaking and eligible for discharge home. Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted 2 to 4 weeks after the older person was discharged. Data were reflexively thematically analysed in NVIVO independently by three researchers.ResultsTwenty-eight interviews were conducted. Three key themes were evident: (1) 'communicating knowledge of the older person's health status and usual behaviour'; (2) 'providing advocacy, translation, surrogacy and care co-ordination'; and (3) 'ensuring safe transition from the emergency department to home'.ConclusionsStudy findings detailed how family carers created an important safety net while the older person was in emergency, through advocacy and the communication of vital health information. More importantly, their knowledge influenced the healthcare management of the older person and ensured safe discharge and co-ordination of care in the community.Relevance to clinical practiceThe study identified for older persons with cognitive impairment a safe stay in the ED and transition home from hospital was supported by family carers and assisted to ensure that discharge information was understood and adhered to optimise wellbeing and prevent adverse outcomes. The findings of this study can inform discharge processes for nurses, nurse practitioners and doctors. Additionally, processes to support family carer engagement would optimise older person compliance and better inform healthcare decision-making and choice for older peoples, family carers. The findings of the study should inform discharge processes to minimise risk of readmission, financial burden and harm.