The Stress of Sadness: The Most Stressful Symptoms for Hospice Family Caregivers

This study investigated the most stressful patient symptoms as reported by 111 hospice family caregivers of cancer (n=66) and cardiopulmonary (n=45) patients. Researchers calculated the mean level of stress caregivers attributed to 32 different patient symptoms commonly encountered at end of life. They found the symptoms perceived as most stressful for caregivers were psychological in nature. Study findings suggest that members of the hospice interdisciplinary team should connect patients and their caregivers to various types of support to address psychological symptoms, benefitting patients and caregivers alike.
Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine - Category: Palliative Care Authors: Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research