Unveiling the dynamics of older person care: a qualitative exploration of the intersection between formal and Informal Caregiving from the perspectives of registered nurses in Greece.

Publisher: BioMed Central Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 101088677 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1472-6963 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 14726963 NLM ISO Abbreviation: BMC Health Serv Res Subsets: MEDLINE

Original Publication: London : BioMed Central, [2001-

Caregivers*/psychology ; Qualitative Research*; Humans ; Greece ; Female ; Male ; Aged ; Middle Aged ; Interviews as Topic ; Adult ; Nurses/psychology ; Attitude of Health Personnel ; Loneliness/psychology

In the evolving landscape of older person care, the imperative to explore holistic approaches persists, especially in regions with distinct societal norms around informal caregiving. The deeply ingrained tradition of familial caregiving, often led by female family members, has historically compensated for healthcare system gaps in less integrated systems. Hence, societal expectations may affect registered nurses' experiences and impact the quality of care for older persons. This study aims to describe the meaning of caring for older persons in care settings in Greece. Ten in-depth interviews with registered nurses in older person care settings underwent qualitative thematic analysis. Four themes emerged from the analysis: (i) Living and bonding with older people as a basis for caring, (ii) Caring as a double-faced fulfillment, (iii) A sense of insufficiency in the caring relationship, and (iv) The encounter of existential issues creating loneliness. This research provides insights into the meaning of caring for older persons, highlighting the experiences of the closest professional caregivers of older individuals. A specific capture of the entanglement of cultural norms, societal expectations, and their impact on professional caregivers' experiences may contribute to quality care provision in systems rooted in familial caregiving traditions.
(© 2024. The Author(s).)

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Keywords: Family caregiving; Holistic care; Nursing; Older person care; Qualitative research

Date Created: 20240821 Date Completed: 20240822 Latest Revision: 20240930

20241001

PMC11340187

10.1186/s12913-024-11401-5

39169330