Categorizing family caregiving experiences across health continuums: a mixed-methods qualitative study

This article presents a caregiver-centered framework that categorizes the experiences of caregivers to align unmet caregiver needs with relevant supports. The study applied a partner-engaged, qualitative, mixed-methods approach. Using findings from a qualitative evidence synthesis, facilitated data sorting, and caregiver focus groups, the team developed and refined a conceptual model comprised of four key components: phases, goals, stressors, and multilevel contextual factors. This model was simplified into a framework of ten categories of caregiving experiences that are widely applicable to the US caregiving context. This framework is a tool for healthcare and social service professionals to target caregiver supports.