Occupation (human) Terminal care

Soins de fin de vie Background. Caregivers in end-of-life care are at risk for health deterioration and decreased quality of life because of the many stressing factors involved in the care-giving role. Purpose. The purpose of this analysis is to come to understand the nature of occupation as experienced by family caregivers of dying patients at a residential hospice. Methods. Data from hospice residents, their family members, and the hospice staff was collected over a period of six months via participant observation, interviews, and document review. Findings. The themes “holding on to normalcy ” and “overshadowed needs of caregivers ” describe the complex and uncertain nature of family caregivers ’ occupation. Implications. Occupations of family caregivers reflected experiences of doing, being, belonging, and becoming. By looking through the lens of the caregiver, the findings of this study will help occupa-tional therapists address the unique needs of the caregiver in end-of-life care. Résum