Elderly male spouses as caregivers--toward an understanding of their experience

Male caregivers have difficulty assuming personal and household responsibilities; they seem to cope by focusing on the caregiving tasks and projects, establishing daily routines, and carving out their own territory in the home. To facilitate effective interventions, nurses should ascertain the elderly male spouse's meaning of caregiving. This would enable practitioners to foster the caregiver's strengths and provide support in those areas where burden or difficulties are experienced. Husbands as caregivers were more likely than wives to seek the help of formal providers and receive more informal support. Male caregivers tend to not participate in support groups. Before making a referal, nurses should ensure the group is geared to the special needs of the man.