Exploring Family Caregivers’ Subjective Experience of Positive Aspects in Home-Based Elder Caregiving: From Korean Family Caregivers’ Experience

Abstract

Recently research has identified positive dimensions of the caregiving experience. However, there is still a dearth of research into positive aspects of home-based family caregiving for older adults in various cultural contexts. This exploratory study seeks to expand our knowledge in this area by exploring the positive experience of Korean family caregivers who cared for older adults with frailty at home and how they can transform their caregiving experience into positive one despite of many challenges. Eighteen family caregivers were explored through semi-structured in-depth interviews. Participants reported several positive aspects from their home-based elder caregiving experience. The positive aspects were categorized into three groups; relational aspects, personal aspects, and spiritual aspects. Findings indicate that Koran family caregivers of older adults in this study perceive that caregiving experience is challenging but also offers an opportunity for gains.