Apoio de enfermagem ao autocuidado do cuidador familiar

Abstract

This article presents a qualitative study of self-care for family caregivers. Its main goals were to identify the positive and negative stimuli that such caregivers receive from their families, and to examine the nursing care needs posed by these stimuli. Taking Grounded Theory as a framework, 11 family caregivers of adults and older adults dependent on home care after discharge from a university hospital in Minas Gerais were interviewed in 2011. Positive stimuli identified included affection towards the dependent family member, and other family members’ support by taking turns in providing care. Negative stimuli were demands, criticism and lack of support, including financial support, from other family members. It was concluded that there is a need for a formal support network to be provided either by the Family Health Strategy or by the home care service in order to support family caregivers with insufficient family support networks, and/or help them overcome the difficulties they face.