Family caregivers of older people in nursing homes

This paper aims to review literature related to the experiences of family caregivers after institutionalization of their older relatives.

Thirty-one research-based articles were reviewed for information on the following six dimensions: caregivers' involvement in care; the effects of institutionalization on mental health of caregivers; predictors of caregivers' mental health; caregivers' feelings; caregivers' difficulties and needs; and interventions for caregivers.

Family caregivers continued their caregiver roles after institutionalization. There was a significant decrease in the caregivers' burden after institutionalization. Depression in caregivers, however, was not significantly reduced. The predictors of caregivers' mental health included characteristics of care recipients, caregivers, and institutions as well as interactions. After institutionalization, caregivers experienced positive feelings, negative feelings, and mixed feelings. Caregivers encountered many difficulties related to care recipients' decreasing cognitive functions, care recipients' behavioral problems, and institutional problems. Interventions improved caregivers' outcomes, care recipients' outcomes, staff members' outcomes, and the communication/relationships among the three groups.

This review expands existing knowledge and provides valuable information. Nurses and researchers need to conduct more research related to family caregivers' difficulties and needs. Future studies should develop more effective interventions and test the effects of interventions on family caregivers as well as care recipients and staff members.