Class provides insight into caregiving pros and cons
Class provides insight into caregiving pros and cons
Teach family by family to address individual needs
A class for caregivers was established at the University of Minnesota, Fairview in Minneapolis, because caring for an ill family member is becoming common practice as more people are treated as outpatients.
The class is taught at the Patient Learning Center one family at a time.
The need for the class became evident as more and more people requested information on how to take care of very ill family members at home, explains Alexa Umbreit, MS, RN, C, a Patient Learning Center nurse.
Family members who enroll in the class are usually caring for loved ones with end-stage illnesses such as cancer, pulmonary disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
"The class is really appropriate for most end-stage illnesses, because the content is flexible depending on the priority issues of the patient and the needs that the family expresses," says Umbreit.
The class begins by using a flip chart format to convey the program objectives, which are to help caregivers acquire the support, knowledge, and skills they need to provide care to a loved one at home. They are told they may need to learn about symptom management, how to find support services and help for their loved one and themselves, time management, as well as how to develop better communication skills. They also are told that caregivers can live in the home with the patient, outside the home, or even be long distance caregivers.
Class content includes an overview of the common symptoms that end-stage illness can present, the causes, the signs, and how to manage them. These symptoms include fatigue, pain, depression, changes in eating, bowel changes, fever, bleeding problems, shortness of breath, skin problems, hair loss if related to chemotherapy, anxiety, sleep disturbances, changes in mental state, and mobility problems.
"We really focus on the expressed needs of the family. We don't always cover every single topic," says Umbreit.
Every participant has a unique story, and their concerns vary, she explains. For example, an older man wanted to know how to respectfully care for a female loved one who was dependent upon him for her physical care. Another family, who was determined to care for a very ill loved one at home, realized they were not able to do so. During the class, they decided to talk to the medical team about care options, because they couldn't manage the patient's intense health care needs at home. Some families need to learn how to move immobile patients safely. The Patient Learning Center has a video on the topic that caregivers watch, and then they practice the techniques with the bedside nurse before their loved one is discharged.
At the Patient Learning Center, away from the bedside, family members are able to share their concerns and have their questions answered. Caregivers are often exhausted from the patient's illness and hospital experience. Often, they are experiencing emotions of grief, helplessness and uncertainty, but they want to do their best to support their loved one, says Umbreit.
"We find that our family members' worries are eased during the class, and they can become more realistic about all that caregiving involves. They can make a decision on whether or not they can do the job, or if they need to ask for extra help," she explains.
During the class, families learn about the various options they have for help such as hospice, the palliative care program at the medical center, and home care. Organizations for certain diseases such as ALS and multiple sclerosis often offer help as well.
The families can take the class if their loved one is an inpatient or outpatient at the University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview. Often the health care team or a bedside nurse suggests the class. Families can ask to take the class as well.
Umbreit says the curriculum was developed from conversations with patients and family members, along with input from the palliative care expert and oncology social worker. In addition, they looked at available course content.
"In the class, we are very candid about the rewards and stressors of caregiving," says Umbreit.
A class for caregivers was established at the University of Minnesota, Fairview in Minneapolis, because caring for an ill family member is becoming common practice as more people are treated as outpatients.Subscribe Now for Access
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