Decision to be a caregiver
fracture
Findings identified multiple factors which contributed to the decision to become an informal caregiver. Spousal obligation and acting out of affection were examples identified from the present study. For some, values such as loyalty and commitment arising from marriage (spousal obligation) were what motivated people to take on a caregiving.‘We both met two and a half years ago. Dare I say it nuts about each other?Ever since then,we've been living together,as man and wife.’(Caregiver,Male,Intervention Group)For others, there was the absence of actual choice, in-part attributed to assumptions made on discharge planning, but also underpinned by the unavailability of alternative care options.‘I think in our case there wouldn't have been anyone else who would be able to come and help.’(Caregiver,Male,Intervention Group)An interesting point about the decision to be a caregiver is that no participant expressed an awareness of caring for a limited acute period of time. Thus, it is unknown how long caregivers perceive the responsibility of caring for a person with hip fracture lasts for.