Chronicity: Meaning constructed by caregivers and people cared
Abstract
Introduction: Noncommunicable chronic diseases are rising, causing disability and dependence in the ones who suffer from them, as well as the necessity of a caregiver. Chronicity is a concept which has been analyzed from the perspective of the ill, leaving a void in the comprehension of the meaning for the caregiver. Aim: To understand the meaning of chronicity for people with non transmissible chronic diseases and their informal caregivers. Materials and methods: Qualitative phenomenological-hermeneutic investigation according to the Van Manen proposal, casual sampling orientated by criteria with the participation of 10 sick people and 9 caregivers. The rigor criteria of credibility and confirmability, reliability, and transferability guaranteed the quality of the study. Results: The next topics emerged: to offer and receive care as a love act, family union, facing the hardness, receiving, giving, and looking support, being aware, change of life, learning process, a company for whole life, imposing restrictions, limitations, and loss. Conclusions: The meaning of chronicity for caregivers and sick people is complex, dynamic, and multidimensional which is why it is important to realize interventions that help mitigate the impact in the life of the binomial.
