Impromptu prompts

(Permission to take time to think)

I know it is a complex question and you might want to think about it…

(Clarifying difference between spouse care giving and illness caregiving)

I know that some people see caregiving as just part of being a spouse, but I wonder if there are some things that you find yourself doing now, that you didn't do before…

(Clarifying if the respondent understands the question)

Does that make sense?

 Respondent Resistance

(But you already know that…)

Yes, you are right, but I need to ask you ‘for the record'

(Didn't you already ask that?)

Yes this does sound similar, but it is a different question

(Oh, I really don't know...)

I realize this question may be difficult to answer without some thought

Or

I don't have to know exactly, but what is your best guess?

(I don't know the future, how could I know?)

Well of course nobody knows for sure, but given the ways things look now, what do you think or what is your best guess?'

(I'm really not sure….)

Can you tell me what it is about the question that you're not sure of?

Emotional Content

(If respondent seems emotionally overcome…)

I can see that this is difficult for you would you like to take a moment?