Hagedoorn, Ellen I.

Aim: To describe the extent of perceived collaboration between family caregivers of older persons and hospital nurses. Background: Collaboration between hospital nurses and family caregivers is of increasing importance in older patient's care. Research lacks a specific focus on family caregiver's collaboration with nurses.

Family caregivers of an older person who was recently hospitalized often feel unprepared for their new or expanded tasks. Quality and continuity of care for older people is expected to improve when nurses collaborate with family caregivers as partners in care. The aim of this study was to explore the unique contribution of collaboration between family caregivers of older patients and hospital nurses as a possible predictor for preparedness of caregiving after hospital discharge.