The objective of this study was to better understand the home elderly caregiver's perception of self care, based on Jean Watson's Human Care Theory. This is a descriptive, exploratory, qualitative study, developed at the Vila Floresta Brazilian Health Care Clinic with nine home elderly caregivers who are integrated in the Home Care Program. The data was collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed based on Bardin's content analysis. The following categories emerged: sharing elderly care- a possibility for self-care; resting, strolling, sleeping, we don't have these rights anymore; family presence: a necessity felt by the home caregiver; the mental and physical (im)balance, an outcome perceived in (lack of) self care. We conclude that the home caregiver is the main person responsible for elderly care and self care sometimes is present in their reality.
Caregivers; Nursing theory; Home care services