Family’s caregiver perceptions of care given to the hospitalized aged

Abstract

The aim is to identify and describe the family perceptions of the care given to the hospitalized aged. It is a qualitative cross-clinical study and the data collection took place in a university hospital during 30 days in July 2013, being fi nalized when the data saturation was achieved. The data collection was performed by semi-structured interview by the instruments: closed questions to characterize the demographic profile of the population and semi-open questions for perception of family caregivers about the process of care during hospitalization; and application of the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) to the participants perceptions regarding the importance attached to the main activities carried out, their performance and
their satisfaction with such activities in hospitalized elderly care. The sample consisted of 25 family caregivers who highlighted: ambivalent to provide care; objective and subjective dimensions of care; advantages and disadvantages of home care and hospital, and reflections on the role of caregiver. About the COPM, the majority had trouble scoring and analyzing the condition of caregiver. The aged care is a complex task, especially in the hospital setting. Actions for the caregiver must be a common practice by the multidisciplinary team.