Caring for Cancer Patients at Home: The Effect on Family Caregivers

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to illustrate the many demands placed on caregivers of cancer patients at home as a result of health care shifting from the acute care setting to the home. Case scenarios are presented from a study in progress, “Pain Education for Elderly Cancer Patients at Home.” Increasingly, caregivers assume responsibility for complex cancer care at home. The cases illustrate the impact of care on quality of life of family caregivers. Nurses can provide support for family caregivers through interventions such as providing respite, ensuring continuity of care, and referring patients to support groups.