Oct 22, 2020
This episode features Dr Yakubu Salifu (International
Observatory on End of Life Care, Division of Health Research,
Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster,
Lancashire, UK).
Caring for a family member with advanced prostate cancer in the
home presents practical and emotional challenges, especially in
resource-poor contexts, where there are increasing palliative cases
without adequate palliative care institutions.
The study explored palliative and end-of-life care experiences of
family caregivers and patients living at home in a resource-poor
context in Ghana.
Men with advanced prostate cancer face complex issues, including
lack of access to professional care and a lack of resources
for homecare. Family caregivers do not have easy access
to professional support; they often have limited knowledge of
disease progression. Patients have inadequate access
to medication and other practical resources for homecare.
Caregivers may be overburdened and perform the role of the
patient’s ‘doctor’ at home-assessing patient’s symptoms,
administering drugs, and providing hands-on care.
In resource-poor contexts, there are significant challenges
associated with home caregiver support. This study revealed the
scale of challenges family caregivers, who lack basic training on
aspects of caring, face in providing home care unsupported by
healthcare professionals.