Needs of family caregivers of hospitalised adults with dementia during care transitions: a qualitative study in a US Department of Veterans Affairs Hospital.

OBJECTIVE

To identify the needs of caregivers of hospitalised adults with dementia in the hospital and during care transitions.

DESIGN

Pragmatic qualitative inquiry with semi-structured interviews.

SETTING

Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Houston, Texas, USA.

PARTICIPANTS

12 family caregivers (family member (n=11); friend (n=1)) and 15 health professionals (hospital medicine physicians (n=4), inpatient nurse case managers (n=2), social workers (n=4), outpatient geriatrics providers (n=2), a primary care provider (n=1), geriatric psychiatrists (n=2)) were interviewed. Caregivers were recruited while their care recipient was hospitalised and were interviewed at least 2 weeks after the care recipient was discharged from the hospital. Health professionals were eligible for the study if they provided care to patients with dementia in the inpatient or outpatient setting.

RESULTS

Four recommendations emerged from the analysis: (1) engage caregivers as partners in the care team, (2) provide dementia-specific information and training, (3) connect caregivers to home and community-based services and (4) provide care navigation and support for the caregiver posthospitalisation.

CONCLUSIONS

Hospital care transitions are challenging for caregivers of hospitalised adults living with dementia. Care transition interventions designed to support caregivers with tailored, dementia-specific information and services are needed.