Caregiving experiences from the perspective of female caregivers of patients with Parkinson’s disease in Cali, Colombia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15649/cuidarte.5582Keywords:
Parkinson's Disease, Caregivers, Caregiver Burden, Family Care, Qualitative ResearchAbstract
Highlights
- Caring for a person with Parkinson’s disease requires personal sacrifices, unwavering commitment, and continuous adaptation to the patient’s evolving needs.
- Emotional support, caregiver education, and the promotion of patient autonomy are essential pillars of effective care.
- The emotional impact of caregiving encompasses both exhaustion and stress, as well as feelings of fulfillment, compassion, and personal growth among caregivers.
- Caregivers expressed a need for accessible technological tools, support networks, and comprehensive care that addresses physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions.
Introduction: Parkinson’s disease requires complex care. Caregivers, predominantly women, face substantial physical and emotional burden; however, they also find gratification. Objective: To understand the caregiving experiences of female caregivers of patients with Parkinson’s disease in Cali, Colombia. Materials and Methods: A qualitative study with a reflexive thematic analysis design was conducted. A focus group was held with six caregivers. Data were analyzed using ATLAS.ti 25. Results: Three main themes were generated: (1) Sacrificed performance, in which caregivers expressed unconditional dedication to the patient, developed spiritual and emotional coping strategies, and sought to promote the patient’s autonomy and participation; (2) Emotional impact, which included emotional exhaustion in response to the patient’s demands, compassion in caregiving, and satisfaction with healthcare professionals; and (3) Experienced needs, which encompassed needs for training, information, knowledge of digital tools, comprehensive medical care, and human support. Discussion: Caregivers experience sacrificed performance, emotional impact, and diverse needs, which are consistent with the literature reported to date. Training, the promotion of patient autonomy, emotional and spiritual coping, as well as the value of human, technological, and interdisciplinary support, were highlighted. Conclusions: Caregivers make significant personal and emotional sacrifices, underscoring the need for interventions that provide comprehensive support and adequate resources. This study highlights the importance of recognizing and addressing caregivers’ needs to enhance their well-being and the quality of care they provide.
How to cite this article: Andrade Díaz Karla V, Salazar Villegas Billy, Malvaceda-Espinoza Eli. Caregiving experiences from the perspective of female caregivers of patients with Parkinson’s disease in Cali, Colombia. Revista Cuidarte. 2026;17(3):e5582. https://doi.org/10.15649/cuidarte.5582
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