Assessment of the needs and perceived social support of family members giving home care to individuals with A chronic disease

Aim: This study was aimed at assessing the needs and perceived social support of family members providing home care to individuals with a chronic illness. Materials and Methods: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted between November 2018 and May 2019. It comprised 290 relatives of patients registered at the Home Health Care Unit of Karaman State Hospital. The study data were collected from the relatives of the patients through face-to-face interviews during the daytime working hours between the aforementioned dates using the Caregiver Information Questionnaire, Caregiver Well-being Scale, and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. For the analysis of the study data, the descriptive statistical analysis and correlation analysis were performed. Results: The mean age of the family caregivers who participated in the study was 52.6 ± 12.1 (19-87) years. Of them, 82.8% were women and 88.3% were married. The mean age of the patients receiving home care was 77.0 ± 12.3 (29-97) years. Of them, 69% were women. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between the mean scores the caregivers obtained from the Caregiver Well-being Scale, and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Conclusion: It was determined that as the level of perceived social support of caregiving family members increased so did their well-being, that nurses should support caregiving family members, that caregiving family members' needs should be identified, and that social support should be provided for them to increase their well-being.