The home as a life-sustaining enclosure for peritoneal dialysis: experience of family caregivers

Abstract

Introduction: Caring at home for a person on peritoneal dialysis treatment involves effort, learning, achieving skills, controlling the environment, as well as being rigorous in carrying out the procedure. However, ongoing monitoring by nurses is needed to avoid complications and to involve the family so that the caregiver does not become exhausted. Objective: To analyze the experiences of family caregivers of peritoneal dialysis patients at home. Material and Method: Qualitative descriptive research involving 12 family carers of young adults undergoing peritoneal dialysis treatment. The sample was obtained by saturation, redundancy and convenience criteria. The semi-structured interview was used for data collection, validated by expert judgement and approved by the Ethics Committee. The data collected were processed by thematic content analysis. Results: a) Training, skills acquisition and satisfaction, b) Peritoneal dialysis care: environment, materials, biosafety and complications, c) Satisfaction and dissatisfaction with continued family support. Conclusions: Family caregivers value positively the training received by the nurses, they adapt the patient’s room and use some household materials, and over time they acquire skills to perform peritoneal dialysis. They maintain order, cleanliness, biosecurity measures and follow the procedure to avoid complications. Some caregivers acknowledge the support of the family, whether emotional, spiritual, financial or with household tasks.