Family Caregivers' Experiences of Within-Hospital Handoffs for Older Adults in Acute Care

Family caregivers' experiences during within-hospital handoffs between acute care units are not well understood. Qualitative description methodology was employed to describe family caregivers' experiences during their loved ones' handoffs. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 10 caregivers of hospitalized older adults. Three themes emerged: Lack of care coordination, Muddling through handoffs alone, and Wariness toward the care delivery system. Findings can help clinicians shape their interactions with caregivers to maximize their involvement in post–hospital care.