ABSTRACT

This study aimed to identify sources of social support and stressors that facilitated or hindered caregivers in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Foster Home (MFH) program in performing their duties. We conducted phone interviews with 35 caregivers and found they relied on work-related, religious, and emotional social support. Caregivers’ unmet needs included a lack of time to re-charge; affordable respite services; enough VA-paid relief services, adequate relief caregivers; and ability to attend church. To address these needs, VA leadership should make MFH caregivers eligible for VA Caregiver Support Programs, encourage reciprocal caregiving arrangements, and organize virtual church services.

摘要

本研究旨在确定促进或阻碍退伍军人事务部 (VA) 医疗寄养之家 (MFH) 计划中的护理人员履行职责的社会支持和压力源的来源。我们对 35 名护理人员进行了电话采访，发现他们依赖与工作相关的、宗教的和情感上的社会支持。照顾者未满足的需求包括缺乏充电时间；负担得起的暂托服务；足够的 VA 支付的救济服务，足够的救济护理人员；和参加教会的能力。为了满足这些需求，VA 领导层应使 MFH 照顾者有资格参加 VA 照顾者支持计划，鼓励互惠照顾安排，并组织虚拟教堂服务。