Holding on to normalcy and overshadowed needs: family caregiving at end of life.

Background: Caregivers in end-of-life care are at risk for health deterioration and decreased quality of life because of the many stressing factors involved in the caregiving role.

Purpose: The purpose of this analysis is to come to understand the nature of occupation as experienced by family caregivers of dying patients at a residential hospice.

Methods: Data from hospice residents, their family members, and the hospice staff was collected over a period of six months via participant observation, interviews, and document review.