Current status of caregivers for patients on home hemodialysis and challenges for continuous support

• Published in: Journal of Japanese Society for Home Hemodialysis Vol. 3; no. 2; pp. 99 - 108
• Main Authors: Fudoji, Miki, Kadoshima, Yoko, Imoto, Chiaki, Miyashita, Yoshiko, Kuroda, Saori, Oida, Miwa, Masakane, Ikuto, Nakai, Shigeru
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: Japanese Society for Home Hemodialysis 28.12.2023; 一般社団法人 日本在宅血液透析学会
• Subjects: Assistance burden; Caregiver; Home hemodialysis; Support system; 介助者; 介助負担; 在宅血液透析; 支援体制
• ISSN: 2435-2519
• DOI: 10.34505/jshhd.3.2_99

A questionnaire survey was conducted to investigate the support status for caregivers at 67 HHD facilities nationwide and the current status of nursing care for 298 caregivers.HHD facilities opportunities to hear caregivers' voices decreased after the introduction of HHD. There were few facilities that provided a place for caregivers to interact with each other or provided opportunities for regular facility dialysis to allow rest periods for the caregivers. HHD caregivers frequently assisted in situations other than treatment, such as garbage disposal and regular maintenance. The HHD caregivers were most often the spouses of the patients, and many of them were women. The caregivers feel rewarded by the results of treatment for their patients, but they also feel the emotional burden and a sense of responsibility for the treatment. The caregiver's desired support includes receiving information and psychological support from the dialysis facility, opportunities for interaction with other patients and caregivers, and providing temporary facility dialysis for allowing rest periods for the caregiver.