Old age care and caregiver selfcare: a relational approach

Objective

Providing care for elderly family members can be challenging and rewarding for caregivers. While extensive research has addressed the care needs of older adults and strategies for caregivers' self-care, there remains a gap in our understanding of how the caregiver-care recipient relationship impacts the quality of care and the well-being of the caregivers. This paper delves into the dynamics of the parent-child relationship and its influence on the quality of care and the caregivers' well-being.

Methods

This paper uses autoethnography to document my in-person caregiving experiences for my mother in Chia during the summer of 2023. Employing thick description and thematic analysis, the study offers a comprehensive depiction of the author's caregiving journey, shedding light on the profound significance of care.

Findings

Key findings include: (a) The traditional scholarly depiction of older adults as care recipients and family members as caregivers is problematic. Older care recipients may actively provide care, albeit in an asymmetrical manner. (b) Care recipients are not passive; they can engage and negotiate their care through strategies fostering positive relationships and moral pressures. (c) Prioritizing caregiver self-care doesn't entail reduced care provision; instead, emphasizing good relationships and mutual understanding improves care quality and enhances caregiver well-being.

Implications

This paper underscores the efficacy of the autoethnographic approach in caregiving, where researchers serve as caregivers, document their experiences, and engage in self-reflection. This method not only facilitates self-care but also enhances the care quality and the well-being of both caregivers and care recipients.