Table 1 Examples of codes, categories, and main themes of the qualitative analysis
Transcribed text | Code1 | Category | Main theme |
|---|---|---|---|
“My mother can’t pick up the phone to inquire about anything these days, so I’m the one who has to take over these tasks that she managed herself earlier. Because I am the only one capable of letting them [the municipality] know when something is not right.” (IC-10) | Being an informal caregiver involves looking after the older relative’s needs | Emerging dependence | Taking an active role |
“It is important that I can act as a spokesperson, because she is not able to herself. [. . .] Being an intermediary sort of lies within the role, I think. It is part of the responsibility of [family members]” (IC-31) | Being an informal caregiver involves being the older relative’s spokesperson | Feelings of responsibility | |
“It’s difficult for them [the home nurses] too, they may communicate our wishes, but their directives are not necessarily supported or acted upon. […] They understand our situation and are attentive towards us, but ultimately they don’t make the decisions.” (IC-10) | The decisions are not made by the home nursing providers | Working with the “gatekeepers” of the health care services | Struggling to gain influence |
“After her breast surgery they wanted to send her home on a Friday. Her surgical wound was still open and it was . . . well, I outright declined. I said: ‘I am leaving town for the weekend, I will not be home if she is discharged’. . .” (IC-19) | You have to be resourceful to be heard | Strategies used when participating on behalf of the care recipient |