Editorial

An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses articles in the issue on topics including delusions, cognitive disturbance, and marked difficulties with social functioning and networks.

Whether a planned or unexpected admission, having a relative in the intensive care unit (ICU) can be a time of turmoil and extreme stress for family members as well as patients.

It remains to be seen whether employers' increased awareness of and support for their employees' caregiving roles during the COVID-19 pandemic will result in permanent changes that better align benefits with employees' needs. Family Caregiver Assessment Assessment of family caregivers' needs and well-being separately from those of the care recipient has long been recommended as an essential component of caregiver support by organizations such as Family Caregiver Alliance and AARP.

Intro: 'Every day, about 28% of Canadians provide care for a family member, friend or neighbour, and nearly half will do so at some point. Although many Canadians with chronic conditions and disabilities need care, the most common needs requiring caregiver help are age related. With 93% of older Canadians living at home, unpaid or informal caregivers provide up to 75% of care services, which equates to about $24–$31 billion in unpaid work annually. We must and can to do more to acknowledge and support informal caregivers in bearing this burden.'

Presents an argument that one of the ways that we can more properly value family caregivers is by understanding that employment policies have implications for families’ and older adults’ well-being, and that policies targeted at families of all forms can affect the health, employment, and general well-being of the nation.

The goal of a LVAD is to extend life expectancy, improve physical strength and quality of life, and allow individuals to be discharged home. When making decisions for a family member to receive a LVAD, caregivers are asked to confront a sophisticated technology with not only the potential to extend life expectancy and improve quality of life but also risks for complications and burdens.

Aims and objectives: The study aimed to examine traumatic brain injury (TBI) patient family members' (FMs) experiences of the support they received from healthcare professionals in acute care hospitals. Background: The length of hospitalisation following TBI is constantly decreasing, and patients may return home with several problems. FMs care for the patients at home although they may not be prepared for the patient's medical needs or financial burden of the illness. The burden which some FMs experience can impair patient care and rehabilitation outcomes.

We hope you enjoy the creative perspectives on family caregiving presented by our authors, and that they serve as a catalyst for expanding research and interventions for family caregiving in new and interesting directions.

Extract: 

Heart failure (HF) affects the lives of patients as well as their family members, who are a fundamental source of support for patients. During the last 2 decades, researchers have increasingly given attention to caregivers of patients with HF worldwide. In 2014, the National Institute of Nursing Research addressed the significance of the science of caregiving. Since then, each year about 100 articles related to caregiving in HF have been published by researchers worldwide. Here, Chung talks about the gaps in caregiving science in HF globally.