Specific burdens of older spousal caregivers often remain invisible, and spousal caregivers rarely receive the support they need to perform their role. To provide suitable support for spousal caregivers, it is crucial to develop a comprehensive understanding of their well-being, particularly during end-of-life caregiving. The aim of the current study was to gain more insight into the psychosocial well-being of older spouses engaged in end-of-life caregiving for their partners with cancer. This qualitative study uses a phenomenological approach with in-depth interviews conducted with older (aged ≥65 years) spousal caregivers of individuals who died of cancer. Eleven spouses participated in the study. Strains on psychosocial well-being during end-of-life caregiving fell into four major themes: The Disease Itself, The Caregiving Process, The Partner Relationship, and Support From Others. Results suggest that older spousal caregivers are experiencing issues that might be more pronounced due to their older age, for example, physical and emotional exhaustion and loneliness. Providing care is time-consuming and often leads to a reduced social network, which enhances loneliness. Moreover, as relationships with ailing partners changed and communication deteriorated, participants reported feeling more like a caregiver rather than a partner. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 48(6), 33–39.]

老年配偶照料者的具体负担通常不为人所知，而配偶照料者很少得到履行职责所需的支持。为了向配偶照顾者提供适当的支持，全面了解他们的幸福感至关重要，尤其是在临终照顾期间。本研究的目的是更深入地了解为癌症伴侣提供临终照料的老年配偶的社会心理健康状况。这项定性研究采用现象学方法，对死于癌症的个体的年长（≥65 岁）配偶照顾者进行了深入访谈。十一位配偶参加了这项研究。临终关怀期间社会心理健康的压力分为四大主题：疾病本身,看护过程,合作伙伴关系, 以及来自他人的支持。结果表明，年长的配偶照顾者正在经历可能由于年龄较大而更加明显的问题，例如，身体和情感上的疲惫和孤独。提供护理非常耗时，而且通常会导致社交网络减少，从而加剧孤独感。此外，随着与患病伴侣的关系发生变化和沟通恶化，参与者报告说感觉更像是一个照顾者而不是伴侣。[老年护理杂志，48（6），33-39。]