The Informal Caregivers’ Viewpoint About Care Inhibitors for Community-Dwelling Elderly in an Iranian Context: A Qualitative Study

Objectives: Following the rise in the elderly population worldwide and the increase in chronic diseases among this demographic with their consequent need for care, the subject of elderly care is becoming increasingly important. Considering the traditional standing of the elderly in Iranian society and the importance of in-community care for them, it seems of crucial importance to study the obstacles hindering the care for community-dwelling elderly for a better understanding of the status. This can also facilitate the conditions for the care-givers and care-receivers on the part of policy makers and managers. Methods: In this study, using purposive sampling, 19 semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with informal care-givers and were then transcribed verbatim. The content analysis of the transcribed interviews was carried out by determining conceptual units, precise coding, and constant comparative method. Then, the sub-categories and main categories were gradually formed. Results: Data analysis was carried out in constant mode simultaneous with the data collection. From the whole set of interviews, 311 preliminary codes were extracted. The codes were obtained throughout the process of analysis in three main categories of personal, family, and social factors. All categories had their own subcategories that were integrated into certain categories based on their own specific characteristics. The subcategories included the characteristics of the caregiver and the elderly, the lack of knowledge and awareness about caregiving, the lack of support and cooperation on the part of the family members, financial problems, unsuitable homes, the lack of government support, and obstacles hindering the presence of the elderly in the society. Discussion: The inhibitors affect a proper caregiving and based on their own nature, cause discomfort to the caregiver and care receiver. Many of these cases are deemed as rectifiable hindrances that can lead us to optimal care for community-dwelling elderly if the cases are taken into consideration and proper strategies are designed and implemented in small and large scale planning.