Abstract

FERREIRA, Maria Amélia Leite; PEREIRA, Alexandra Manuela Nogueira de Andrade  and  MARTINS, José Carlos Amado. Caring for a Person with Advanced Disease in the Community: Phenomenological Study. Rev. Enf. Ref. [online]. 2016, vol.serIV, n.8, pp.45-53. ISSN 0874-0283.  https://doi.org/10.12707/RIV15029.

Background: Demographic aging and the increased prevalence of chronic, progressive and disabling diseases explain the importance of the caregiver in the community. Objectives: To describe and analyze the meaning of the lived experience of the caregivers of the person with advanced disease in the community. Methodology: Phenomenological study, using Giorgi's method and semi-structured interviews. Eight caregivers living in the northern region of Portugal were interviewed from January to May 2013. Results: Eight themes were identified: Being a caregiver of a person with advanced disease in the community; communication; respect for human dignity; complicating factors and facilitating factors; coping mechanisms; positive and negative feelings. Conclusion: The caregivers of people with advanced disease in the community experience diverse situations with a positive or negative impact on their life and health. Although there are difficulties and negative feelings, such as fear and sadness, factors that facilitate care and positive feelings, such as satisfaction and hope, are also present in the caregivers' interviews. We suggest a reflection on care organization and on the healthcare professional's education and performance in this context.

Keywords : community; palliative care; caregivers.

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