Profiles of dependent hospitalized patients and their family caregivers: knowledge and preparation for domiciliary care practices

Abstract

In the context of chronic degenerative diseases and increased life expectancy, the involvement of family caregivers begins by empirically exercising care in the home. The objective of this study is to analyze the profile of patients and their family caregivers during the hospitalization of dependent patients and identify the level of knowledge of the caregiver and their needs related to the care provided to the dependent family member in use of assistive devices at home. Method: this is a descriptive study with a quantitative approach performed in an extraporte hospital in Belo Horizonte. The site was the Long-term and Palliative Care Unit. A total of 50 family caregivers participated in this study and signed the TCLE. Results: most of the patients are in the elderly group; 54% of them aged between 60 and >70 years with some disease already well-established, such as cardiovascular diseases in 54% and respiratory imbalances in 30% of the participants. The use of assistive devices was present in 36% of the participants using tracheostomies and 46% using enteric probe and dressings. Sixty percent of the caregivers stated not knowing how to provide care. Conclusion: the data from this study reinforce the importance of promoting the preparation of patients and their family members for hospital discharge and care at home, aimed at an early rehabilitation and reduction in readmissions and iatrogenic deaths.