The meaning of being-a-caregiver of a dependent relative suffering from cancer: Palliative contributions

Abstract

The goal with to understanding the meaning of being-a-caregiver for a family member with cancer who is highly dependent for daily activities. Phenomenological analysis based on Martin Heidegger´s philosophy, undertaken at three health centers in a city in the Northwest of the state of Paraná, Brazil. Interviews were held between November 2012 and February 2013 with seventeen family caregivers. Two themes arose after the analysis: “Being-a-caregiver experiencing different modes of disposition” and “Being-with-a-relative: from daily occupation to liberating concern”. This meant that for the caregiver-being to get terrified by the diagnosis and horrified with the treatment, terrified by end-of-life care and being-with-the-other in the illness. Although occupied with daily things, caregivers were nevertheless concerned, showing solicitude in their actions. This basis for effective palliative care should pervade nurses’ work for this professional to be a true care-being.