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provides support for them in their caregiving roles, what type of support they receive, and how
caregiving affects their quality of life.
Caregiving in Rural Michigan
This case reiterated some existing beliefs about hospice caregiving while illuminating
new effects of this important role. The participants in the sample mirrored larger population
studies of caregivers. The great majority of caregivers were female family members between the
ages of 51 and 60. Many caregivers reported spending 24 hours each day with the hospice
patient, leaving little or no time for their own activities.
Redefining support
When asked about the type of support they received, many caregivers commented that
others help them "mow the lawn" or "do the dishes." Help was often described in terms of
instrumental support, "doing" something. When caregivers were asked about the effects of
caregiving on their health, however, they most often commented that it made them anxious,
depressed and lonely. This provides an almost dichotomous definition of help: caregivers think
of support as instrumental but what they may need more of is emotional support. Telemedicine
has the opportunity to reposition support in terms of the benefits of emotional support.
Caregivers could use technology to access emotional support from friends, family, and
professionals. A few caregivers noted that caregiving had taken such a toll on their emotional
health that they were being treated for depression. Telemedicine could provide access to their
physician or professional counselor as a necessary component of the support network.
A few caregivers reported that they work very hard to keep themselves emotionally and
physically healthy. This may become difficult as the caregiving role progresses. Others
commented that they used to exercise on a regular basis but caregiving now kept them at home.
Convention