Caregiving for Patients with Chronic Diseases: The Process of Caregiver Empowerment

Abstract

Background: Family caregivers often provide non-professional care to family members with chronic diseases, requiring assistance with daily living activities. Caregivers typically experience significant stress, including physical, psychological, and emotional burdens, as well as social isolation associated with long-term care provision. As caregivers often do not have a role in care-related decisions, their stress levels can increase substantially. Empowerment of caregivers is essential to enable informed decision-making in care-related issues, thereby enhancing patient care outcomes and ameliorating caregiver stress. Accordingly, this study aimed to define and describe the features of the empowerment process for family caregivers providing care to patients with chronic diseases. Methods: This study was conducted using Walker and Avant’s concept analysis method. A total of 33 articles published from 2008 to 2024 focusing on family caregiver empowerment in chronic disease contexts were selected from CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases. Results: Key attributes identified in the family caregiver empowerment process included support for care recipients, constructive relationships with others, knowledge, skills, and an improved sense of positive feelings. Understanding caregiver needs is crucial for public policymakers, healthcare providers, and families in improving care quality and promoting the health of the family, self-reliance, adherence, and patient care outcomes. Conclusion: Clarifying the components of this concept will assist healthcare service providers to design and implement appropriate intervention programs, including support systems that enhance family caregivers’ empowerment in their caregiving roles. © 2025 The Author(s); Published by Kerman University of Medical Sciences.