Objective:

To describe the participation of the family caregiver for the comfort of people over 65 hospitalized, according to the perception of nurses and family caregivers in a public hospital in Lambayeque, Peru.

Methods:

Descriptive exploratory qualitative research, the sample was 20 informants with informed consent. The data was collected through the semi-structured interview and processed according to thematic content analysis.

Results:

Three categories emerged: a) Participation in basic care: Body comfort; b) Strategies for rest and sleep: Comfort of the environment; c) Affection, encouragement and faith: Contribution to emotional and spiritual comfort.

Conclusions:

The hospital stay generates discomfort in older adults, but the family caregiver actively participates in the satisfaction of basic needs such as hygiene, food, laying of bed, avoidance of pain and noise, adequate lighting, safety, affection, hope and faith; care oriented to provide a peaceful and pleasant environment that helps them in rest and sleep, adaptation, recovery and quality of life. It is essential that the nursing staff trains the family caregiver and prepares them to collaborate in the care of both the hospitalization and the home.

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