[Caregivers' needs concerning mobility support of a family member with terminal cancer - a narrative review].

BACKGROUND

Care for cancer patients is often provided by family caregivers. The terminal care period is usually associated with restricted mobility.

AIM: The aim of this literature review is to analyse the needs of caregivers concerning mobility support and encouragement in everyday care of a cancer patient at the end of life.

METHODS

Relevant articles were identified via electronic database searches in Cochrane, PubMed, PsychINFO, ERIC, and CINAHL. Studies examining needs concerning mobility support and encouragement for terminal cancer care provided by family caregivers at home, published in English or German, have been included. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed by two authors.

RESULTS

A total of eleven studies with various designs have been included. The results show a need for information, guidance and support regarding mobility in two areas: i) activities of daily living including personal hygiene and ii) usage of equipment including transport.

CONCLUSION

The literature review indicates that practical needs of family caregivers concerning mobility support and encouragement have been assessed unsystematically and not yet adequately studied. This should be done in future studies, in order to implement well-defined interventions for teaching nursing skills subsequently.