Education, Training, and Mentorship of Caregivers of Canadians Experiencing a Life-Limiting Illness

Abstract

Background: Research suggests that caregiver preparedness is essential to minimizing the negative impacts of caregiving. Not being prepared is associated with fear, anxiety, stress, and feelings of insufficiency/uncertainty specific to the caregiver role. Objective: To determine what resources are required to ensure adequate education, training, and mentorship for caregivers of Canadians experiencing a life-limiting illness. Design: Informed by the Ispos Reid survey, the methods for this article involved a rapid literature review that addressed caregiver experiences, needs and issues as they related to health, quality of life, and well-being. Results: Given the burden of care, caregiver education, training, and mentorship are suggested to be best met through the palliative navigator model, wherein the patient-caregiver dyad is recognized as an integrated unit of care. Conclusions: The palliative navigator approach is a key role in the education, training, and mentorship of caregivers.