TY - JOUR
T1 - Characteristics and views of family carers of older people with heart failure.
AU - Barnes, Sarah
AU - Gott, Merryn
AU - Payne, Sheila
AU - Parker, Chris
AU - Seamark, David
AU - Gariballa, Salah
AU - Small, Neil
PY - 2006/8
Y1 - 2006/8
N2 - AIMS: to explore the characteristics and views of the family carers of older people with heart failure. METHOD: 213 family carers of heart failure patients >60 years were recruited from UK general practitioner (GP) practices. Carer strain, quality of life (QOL) and service satisfaction questionnaires were completed every 3 months for 2 years, as well as 16 interviews with patients and carers, and 9 focus groups with health care professionals. RESULTS: 76% of carers were female, 70% were >60 years and 73% were spousal carers. Predictors of carer strain were symptoms of depression, age and patient NYHA. Predictors of lower QOL were: spousal carer; 2+ health conditions and symptoms of depression. Qualitative findings related to the change in circumstances, impact of responsibilities and health conditions of the family carers. CONCLUSION: carers were mainly older women, often experiencing multiple health conditions. Addressing the practical and emotional support required presents a challenge for specialist palliative care in responding to calls for increased involvement in heart failure. A shared care model with liaison between specialist heart failure nurses, cardiologists, primary care teams and hospice services is advocated.
AB - AIMS: to explore the characteristics and views of the family carers of older people with heart failure. METHOD: 213 family carers of heart failure patients >60 years were recruited from UK general practitioner (GP) practices. Carer strain, quality of life (QOL) and service satisfaction questionnaires were completed every 3 months for 2 years, as well as 16 interviews with patients and carers, and 9 focus groups with health care professionals. RESULTS: 76% of carers were female, 70% were >60 years and 73% were spousal carers. Predictors of carer strain were symptoms of depression, age and patient NYHA. Predictors of lower QOL were: spousal carer; 2+ health conditions and symptoms of depression. Qualitative findings related to the change in circumstances, impact of responsibilities and health conditions of the family carers. CONCLUSION: carers were mainly older women, often experiencing multiple health conditions. Addressing the practical and emotional support required presents a challenge for specialist palliative care in responding to calls for increased involvement in heart failure. A shared care model with liaison between specialist heart failure nurses, cardiologists, primary care teams and hospice services is advocated.
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U2 - 10.12968/ijpn.2006.12.8.380
DO - 10.12968/ijpn.2006.12.8.380
M3 - Article
C2 - 17077796
AN - SCOPUS:34447640466
SN - 1357-6321
VL - 12
SP - 380
EP - 389
JO - International journal of palliative nursing
JF - International journal of palliative nursing
IS - 8
ER -