Supporting Family Caregivers in Home Hospice Settings
Family members often step into caregiving roles without formal training. Managing medications, assisting with personal care, and navigating appointments can create emotional and physical stress. Anxiety, fatigue, and feelings of inadequacy are common. Patients rely on these caregivers for continuity of care, so supporting them is critical to successful home care outcomes. Caregiver stress can also affect patient well-being. A frustrated or overwhelmed caregiver may inadvertently skip steps in care routines or struggle to enforce safety measures. Understanding these pressures helps nurses provide targeted guidance and emotional support. Teaching Caregivers Practical Skills Hands-on training is essential. Nurses can demonstrate techniques for bathing, transferring, and monitoring vital signs, then observe caregivers as they try the skills themselves. Using checklists and structured documentation ensures that all key skills are addressed during training and that follow-up assessme...