Occupational Impacts on Care Providers: Perceptions of Non-Professional Caregivers for Cancer Patients
Graduation Date
2009
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Document Form
Degree Name
Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy
Department
Occupational Therapy
Department or Program Chair
Ruth Ramsey, EdD, OTR/L
Thesis Advisor
Bonnie Napier, EdD, OTR/L
Second Advisor
Stephen Leonard, MOT, OTR/L
Abstract
The researcher used a qualitative approach to explore the occupational impacts on caregivers that have cared for or are currently caring for terminally ill cancer patients. Twenty-three caregivers completed the survey portion of the research and 2 interviews were conducted. Through the collection of interview data the researcher compared the beliefs, concerns and feelings of caregivers surrounding their experiences. This thesis research shows that care giving can impact the occupations of caregivers in multiple ways and supports the need for caregivers to have additional support during the time in which they provide care, and after the care giving role is completed as they resume other life roles without care giving as a central occupation.