To be the caregiver of a family member with cancer and dependent: a glance to temporality

Abstract

We aimed to comprehend the meaning of being a caregiver, the responsibility to assist a dependent family member with cancer. A phenomenological heideggerian study conducted with 17 family caregivers through interviews. Ethical precepts were respected. The following theme emerged from the analysis: “Unveiling the temporality to live with cancer at home”. The caregiver recalled his strength of being and maintaining himself stuck to this ecstasy and sometimes glimpsed a promising future and changed his reality. Professionals guiding families can turn the moment of realization less painful for the caregiver. It is needed to glimpse the temporality to reach the major goal of palliative care and nursing, that is, to assume the essential project to be a caregiver.