AUTHOR=Mora-Lopez Gerard , Berenguer-Poblet Marta , Berbis-Morelló Carme , Albacar-Rioboo Nuria , Montesó-Curto Pilar , Aguaron-García María Jesús , Ferré-Grau Carme 

TITLE=New Life Transition of Former Caregivers: Positive Mental Health Approach

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychology

VOLUME=Volume 13 - 2022

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.854108

DOI=10.3389/fpsyg.2022.854108

ISSN=1664-1078

ABSTRACT=After the end of their time as a caregiver, former caregivers have needs and feelings that have been subject to little study to date.The Aim of the study is to determine and analyze feelings, perceptions, and practices of former caregivers in the reconstruction of their daily lives.  Qualitive study based on Grounded Theory developed by Charmaz. The study involved 14 former caregivers who had cared their relative for more than 2 years and who had stopped caring for them more than 2 years previously. Fourteen in-depth interviews were conducted, and data were collected over 13 months between 2015 and 2017. Data were analysed using the Grounded Theory Method. In addition, this study was approved by the ethics committee of the Institut Universitari d’Investigació en Atenció Primària Jordi Gol. The former caregiver experiences a transition, which begins on in the days before the death of their relative and may continue for more than three years. Three critical moments in the post-caring transition were found: (1) The post-caring emptiness; (2) the end of the period as a caregiver; and (3) movement towards a new life. Family and professional support is needed on this transition. Former caregivers experience a transition in the rebuilding their daily lives, furthermore, former caregivers may be a source of support for other caregivers with is linked to Positive Mental Heatlh factors, Healthcare organisations need to acknowledge the emotional, psychosocial, and psychological health of former caregivers.