Oncology nursing forum
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Although stresses associated with family caregiving during illness have been well-documented, little attention has been focused on how families cope with hospice home care of a relative with advanced cancer. A longitudinal, qualitative study examined the experiences of hospice caregiving families. This article focuses on coping strategies identified by hospice families caring for their dying relative at home. ⋯ Acceptance and rationalization helped families to deal with changes in a relative's mental status. Social support was used with all three areas of stress. Identifying effective coping strategies that families are using directs the development, testing, and implementation of nursing interventions that enhance coping of hospice caregiving families.