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Centre for Policy on Ageing | |
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| Psychosocial care for the caregivers of primary malignant brain tumor patients | | Author(s) | Maria Wasner, Piret Paal, Gian Domenico Borasio |
| Journal title | Journal of Social Work in End-of-Life and Palliative Care, vol 9, no 1, January-March 2013 |
| Publisher | Taylor and Francis, January-March 2013 |
| Pages | pp 74-95 |
| Source | http://www.tandfonline.com |
| Keywords | Cancer ; Dying ; Family care ; Stress ; Depression ; Well being ; Germany. |
| Annotation | The long list of various health problems might easily lead to the conclusion that brain tumour patients suffer from a low quality of life. However studies have revealed that despite severe health problems and multiple side effects, patients were satisfied with their individual life situation. However the situation for their caregivers is quite different. Numerous inquiries have pointed out that after a diagnosis is established, spouses, adult children, parents, siblings, or others close to the patient are expected to step into the role of caregiver with little, if any, preparation. Often this means giving up their normal life setting in order to be able to concentrate on their full-time caretaker role at home. In this study, the caregivers' personal experiences, quality of life, burden of care and psychological well-being were examined. 27 patients from the neuro-oncological outpatient clinic as well as from the palliative care unit at a University Hospital in Germany were asked to participate in the study. Findings revealed that 59% did not receive any financial aid for home care, 33% had increased risk for psychosomatic problems, 45% had anxiety, and 33% increased depression levels. The caregiver's quality of life was most strongly affected by the burden of care and the patient's mental state. The authors conclude that to improve the situation, empathetic professionals and an early implementation of palliative care and social work were required. (JL). |
| Accession Number | CPA-130405216 A |
| Classmark | CK: CX: P6:SJ: QNH: ENR: D:F:5HH: 767 |
Data © Centre for Policy on Ageing |
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| ...from the Ageinfo database published by Centre for Policy on Ageing. |
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