Strategies for managing group caregiving following hip-fracture surgery among family members: A grounded theory study

Abstract

Background

Family members in many countries often share caregiving responsibilities for an older relative recovering from an injury. However, few studies have examined strategies employed when multiple family members provide care for an older relative recovering from hip-fracture surgery.

Objective

This study aimed to understand family group caregiving strategies when two or more family members provide caregiving for an older relative recovering from hip-fracture surgery.

Methods

This study used a grounded theory design. Semistructured interviews were conducted over 1 year with 13 Taiwanese family caregivers from five families. Caregivers shared caregiving responsibilities for an older relative (62–92 years of age) recovering from hip-fracture surgery. Transcribed interviews were analysed using open, axial and selective coding.

Results

The core category describing caregiving among family members was ‘Preventive Group Management: strategies for family group caregiving’. Three strategies were employed: explicit division of labour (two stem/patriarchal families and one older two-generation/democratic family); disconnected caregiving (one nuclear/noncommunicative family) and patriarchal caregiving (one extended/traditional Chinese family). Strategies reflected family type, structure, cultural values, communication patterns and available outside support. Components of family group caregiving involved family type's division of labour, approaches to caregiving and implementation challenges and allowed family caregivers to maximise safety and stability and prevent harmful events during their relative's recovery from surgery.

Conclusions

There was no one-size-fits-all approach for the strategies of family group caregiving. Components of Preventive Group Management varied with family type, cultural values, communication patterns and available outside support. Healthcare professionals should be sensitive to the dynamics of family caregivers.

Implications for Practice

Enhance group management for family caregivers by developing interventions to optimize collaboration, thereby better addressing the needs of older adults recovering from hip fracture surgery.