Care and recovery of the elderly with fall-related fracture in the family caregiver's perspective

Abstract

Objective: To know the family caregiver's perspective on the care and the recovery of the elderly with a fall-related fracture. Method: Descriptive and exploratory study conducted with 15 family caregivers of the elderly in the municipality of Borrazópolis, Paraná State, Brazil, in the months of June and July 2018, through semi-structured interviews submitted to thematic content analysis. Results: Four thematic categories emerged: nursing team supporting family caregivers of the elderly with fracture; limb immobilization or restriction to bed as a dependency-generating condition; peculiarities of the care with the elderly with fracture; and religion/spirituality strengthening daily care. Conclusion: In the family caregiver's perspective, the care and the recovery of the elderly with a fall-related fracture involve dedication, changes in personal and family life and burden to the caregiver, besides difficulties arising from the lack of training and non-acceptance of the dependency condition by the elderly.