Family Caregivers' Experiences during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Qualitative Study.
Milagros Rico-Bl��zquez, Raquel S��nchez-Ruano, Cristina Oter-Quintana, Elena Polentinos-Castro, ��ngel Mart��n-Garc��a, Pedro Otones-Reyes, Dami��n Gonz��lez-Beltr��n, Mercedes Mart��nez-Marcos
Author Information
Milagros Rico-Bl��zquez: Research Unit, Primary Care Assistance Management, Madrid Health Service, 28035 Madrid, Spain. ORCID
Raquel S��nchez-Ruano: Ciudad de los Periodistas Healthcare Centre, Primary Care Assistance Management, Madrid Health Service, 28034 Madrid, Spain. ORCID
Cristina Oter-Quintana: Nursing Department, Faculty of Medicine, Autonomous University of Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain. ORCID
Elena Polentinos-Castro: Research Unit, Primary Care Assistance Management, Madrid Health Service, 28035 Madrid, Spain. ORCID
��ngel Mart��n-Garc��a: Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Podiatry, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain. ORCID
Pedro Otones-Reyes: San Andr��s Healthcare Centre, Primary Care Assistance Management, Madrid Health Service, 28021 Madrid, Spain. ORCID
Dami��n Gonz��lez-Beltr��n: Barrio del Pilar Healthcare Centre, Primary Care Assistance Management, Madrid Health Service, 28029 Madrid, Spain. ORCID
Mercedes Mart��nez-Marcos: Nursing Department, Faculty of Medicine, Autonomous University of Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
The COVID-19 pandemic imposed lockdown measures that affected caregiving. Understanding caregivers' context provides reveals their adaptive strategies to continue caring in this situation of uncertainty and isolation. To better understand the caregiving experiences of caregivers looking after dependent individuals living in the community during the pandemic. Qualitative research, phenomenological approach. Primary healthcare centers in Madrid region (Spain). 21 family caregivers. Purposive and theoretical sampling was used to recruit caregivers across nurses from primary healthcare centers. Participants were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide to explore the caring experience. Interview transcripts were evaluated using thematic analysis. The findings were categorized into two themes: "Caregivers during lockdown-providing care in a time of adversity" and "Caregiving toward normality". The sub-themes identified were the re-structuring of before-care services and the introduction of new care approaches, managing the dependent person's health problems, looking after oneself, and dealing with adversity. To adapt to the new normal, strategies were put in place designed to recover confidence and trust, reincorporate assistance, and reconnect with others. Care intensified during the pandemic. Caregivers took on the task without assistance, focusing on preventing contagion and protecting themselves to be able to continue giving care.
