Communications needs of family caregivers of geriatric unit residents at end-of-life

Background and objective: There is a dearth of literature regarding the communication needs of family caregivers of institutionalized older adults and the degree to which these needs are fulfilled. This study aimed to clarify those needs regarding communication with staff in geriatric facilities during older non-communicative residents' end-of-life.

Research design and methods: Personal interviews were conducted with 135 family caregivers from two geriatric medical centers and two nursing homes in Israel. Questions referred to quality of available communication and family caregivers' communication needs. We utilized inductive content analysis to identify these needs.

Results: The first and last authors independently examined all the qualitative data regarding family caregivers' needs, and identified themes and categories based on similarities. These were further discussed and modified until agreement was reached. Family caregivers wished to have an available staff member to approach when needed, to be kept current on their older relatives' condition, to feel supported during a difficult time in their lives, and to overcome language and cultural barriers.

Discussion and implications: This is the first study to examined family caregivers' communication needs using a broad perspective that relates to overall needs rather than specific ones, thus yielding a fuller understanding of family caregivers' emotional and practical needs, as well as language and cultural barriers. Translating these needs into practice by offering guidelines on how to fulfill them and developing tailored interventions and tools to assess them may improve not only communication, but also end-of-life care for residents of geriatric facilities.