Caregivers' Burden and Coping Among caregivers' of Terminally ill Cancer Patients

Background: Terminally ill cancer patients suffer from number of symptoms toward the end of the life including pain, nausea, vomiting, dyspnea, restlessness, cough, fatigue and depression. Due to the inadequate health care professionals, unavailability of resources and low economic status, home services are the primary focus of palliative care in India. When the terminally ill patients are cared at home, they need assistance from caregivers for symptom management and meeting self care needs. The authors of several studies reported that caring for a person dying with cancer may be associated with physical problem such exhaustion, fatigue, sleeplessness and weight loss.

Aim: The aim of the study is to assess the level of burden and coping among caregivers of terminally ill cancer patients.

Methods: A quantitative approach with descriptive research design was adopted for the study. Data were collected using interview guide from 50 samples selected by consecutive sampling.

Results: Thirty eight percent of the caregivers had moderate burden and 32% had sever burden. Twenty two percent of the caregivers had minimal coping and 78% had moderate coping. There was negative correlation detween caregivers burden and coping (-.6).

Conclusion: It is the responsibility of the nursing professionals to help the caregivers to cope effectively to reduce burden through strategies such as counseling, relaxation techniques and education.