Content domain for caregiver planning identified by adult offspring caregivers

The purpose of the study was to generate a description of caregiver planning and explain how the concept advanced knowledge of lay caregiver decision-making. Nearly 2,000 decisions of 168 adult offspring caregivers were classified into one of 12 categories using an a priori taxonomic structure for caregiver planning. Coefficient kappas for intra- and inter-rater reliability of the classifications ranged from .97 to .81. The computer program, Ethnograph, and existence theory then were used to organize the classifications in a more detailed manner given the a priori taxonomic structure. Findings from the study showed that the content of the subjects' decisions produced a relatively detailed, complete, and reliable description of caregiver planning. This information can help nurses and lay caregivers to further develop an ongoing pattern of decision-making about caregiving.