Family caregivers’ experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. A qualitative study.

Abstract Background. The COVID-19 pandemic imposed lockdown measures worldwide which altered the normal way in which dependent people are cared for. Little is known about the changes that took place and the strategies adopted by family caregivers in order that they might continue their work in this new situation, characterised by uncertainty, fear and isolation. The aim of this study was to better understand the caregiving experiences of family caregivers looking after the dependent people that lived in the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods. A qualitative research with a phenomenological approach was conducted at primary healthcare centers in the Madrid region in Spain. A total of 21 family caregivers were selected. Purposive and theoretical sampling approaches were used by nurses to recruit family caregivers from primary healthcare centers. Participants were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide to explore the caring experience during COVID-19 pandemic. Interview transcripts were evaluated using thematic analysis. Results. Two themes stemmed from the data: “Caregivers during lockdown – providing care in a time of adversity” and “Caregiving toward normality”. Caregivers contrasted life during the pandemic with the lives they had had previously. 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. In order to adapt to the new normal, strategies were put in place designed to recover confidence and trust, reincorporate assistance and reconnect with others. Conclusions. During the COVID-19 pandemic there was an intensification of the care given to dependent people. Family caregivers undertook their work without assistance, confronting fear and putting the focus on preventing contagion and protecting themselves in order to be able to continue giving care.