Cuidados paliativos: vivencia do cuidador familiar de paciente na fase final de vida.

Abstract

Objective: comprehend the experience of the family caregiver of patient with cancer in the last stage of life in palliative care. Method: exploratory study with qualitative approach, held in a hospital in the city of João Pessoa - PB. 15 family caregivers were interviewed, during the period of May to July in 2019. A semi structured interview was used to collect data. The information were analyzed according to the content analysis technique. Results: the analysis of the empirical material allowed the construction of two thematic categories: I – Repercussion in the physical and psychological health of the family caregiver and II – Future perspectives in the face of the proximity of your loved one’s death. Conclusion: It is important for professionals to use in their care tools that facilitate the process of adapting the caregiver to the new situation, seeking to reduce physical and emotional burdens, and preparing them so that they can continue their life after the loss.