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The Waiting Place : A caregiver's narrative
Author(s) -
Salmon Nancy
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
australian occupational therapy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.595
H-Index - 44
eISSN - 1440-1630
pISSN - 0045-0766
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1630.2006.00559.x
Subject(s) - autoethnography , narrative , poetry , coping (psychology) , psychology , narrative inquiry , family caregivers , nursing , psychotherapist , medicine , sociology , gender studies , art , literature
Aims: This autoethnography presents a portion of the author's experience as a full‐time family caregiver awaiting her mother's nursing home placement. The purpose of this article is three pronged: (i) to give voice to an experience shrouded in silent expectations, (ii) to actively support caregivers who know ‘The Waiting Place’ by heart, and (iii) to raise the awareness of health professionals and academics regarding aspects of this critical phase of community‐based caregiving.Methods and results: This article combines the narrative analysis of personal diary entries with poetry and autobiographical excerpts to represent the last phase of caregiving at home. The four themes that emerged from the narrative analysis are explored: the waiting place, grieving, coping and the cost of caring.Conclusion: Poetry is employed to challenge the reader's beliefs and expectations about caregiving. Specific recommendations for promoting the health of caregivers are embedded within each verse.