Effect of a Social Support Program on the Health-Promoting Lifestyle of Family Caregivers of Older Adults with Cancer

Abstract

Background: Cancer is one of the common diseases in old age that imposes the burden of care on family caregivers, and by creating physical, psychological, and social problems for caregivers, it affects their healthy lifestyle. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the impact of the social support program on the health-promoting lifestyle of family caregivers of older adults with cancer. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted in 2021 in Dezful-Iran. 58 eligible samples were selected consecutively and divided into intervention and control groups. The intervention group received social support. Walker and Hill-Polerecky’s Health-Promoting Lifestyle tool was completed before and 6 weeks after the intervention in both groups. Data analysis was done using SPSS software v.16. Results: The overall score of the health-promoting lifestyle in the intervention (129.58 ± 15.21) and control (116.13 ± 24.62) groups had a statistically significant difference (P = 0.01). Also, after the intervention, the interpersonal relations subscale in the intervention (24.58 ± 3.00) and control (21.62 ± 5.41) groups and the health responsibility subscale in the intervention (26.68 ± 2.79) and control (5.37 ± 22.00) groups, there was a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). However, this difference was insignificant in other subscales in the two groups after the intervention (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Social Support Programs, in addition to enhancing the lifestyle of family caregivers, can also contribute to improving the quality of care for older adults. The findings of this study recommend sharing insights with nurses, formal and family caregivers of older adults with cancer, and health services policymakers to inform and guide the development of targeted interventions and support systems that can enhance the health-promoting lifestyle of family caregivers of older adults with cancer.