Unmet needs caregivers of the elderly with cancer and Related to Resilience and Family functioning in Tabriz Chemotherapy Centers

Abstract

Introduction: Caring for the elderly patients with cancer is difficult and complex due to the possible co-existence of other chronic diseases. This caregiving could affect the different needs of family caregivers, their resilience, and performance. Therefore, this study was conducted with the aim of identifying the needs of family caregivers of elderly patients with cancer and the relationship of these needs with resilience and family functioning. Materials and methods: This descriptive cross-sectional-study recruited 100 family caregivers of elderly patients with cancer by convenience sampling method in 2022, Tabriz, Iran. These patients were referred to inpatient and outpatient oncology departments of public and non-governmental hospitals during 3 months. To collect the data three different questionnaires were employed 1) comprehensive Shin caregiver needs assessment questionnaire, 2) shortened 10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) questionnaire, and 3) 12-item FAD (Family Assessment Device) family functioning questionnaire. Data analysis was done using SPSS 23 software, descriptive statistics methods (mean, standard deviation, frequency and percentage) and inferential tests (T-test and ANOVA). Findings: The average score of caregivers' needs was 16.17±14.98 (scale 0-123), the average score of resilience was 26.39±8.15 (scale 0-40), and average score of family functioning was 37.8±5.21 (scale 12-48). Statistical analysis showed that the relationship between total needs, total resilience (R=-0.319, P=0.001), and the relationship between total needs and family performance (R=-0.309, P=0.002), was meaningful and reversed. Discussion and conclusion: The results showed that family caregivers of elderly patients with cancer did not report high needs. The greatest needs of caregivers were associated to their health and psychological problems. Caregivers' resilience was average and family functioning was Normal. Considering the relationship between needs, family functioning, and resilience, it is recommended that the personnel of chemotherapy units would assist in reducing stress in caregivers by engaging in effective communication with them Educational interventions can be designed for consultants and social workers to facilitate their therapy sessions to increase the resilience of caregivers according to the level of their family performance.