Taking care of a dying grandparent: case studies of grandchildren in the hospice caregiver role.

This study aims to provide insight into the role of grandchildren as informal hospice caregivers. It presents 4 cases that highlight the challenges and perceptions of grandchildren who care for a grandparent at the end of life. A researcher met regularly with family caregivers to discuss the problems or challenges during hospice caregiving. Although each caregiver presented unique individual experiences, several themes are common among the family caregivers including fatigue, stress, guilt, and loss of the "grandchild" identity. Grandchildren caregivers often take care of 3 generations (grandparents, parents, and children) and in many cases need additional assistance to help them overcome the challenges associated with managing a household, career, family, and caregiving roles.