Objective To explore the application effects of life hope care program in relieving the stress of family caregivers for liver cancer.

Methods A total of 138 liver cancer patients and their families were investigated, and the patients' families were randomly divided into the control group and observation group(69 cases in each group). The control group received the routine care, and the observation group received life hope care program on this basis. The improvement of care stress and care ability of family members between two groups were compared before intervention and after 2 weeks of intervention.

Results Before the intervention, there was no significant difference in family caregivers' care stress score (P>0.05). After 2 weeks of intervention, health and time load, economic load, lack of family support, self-esteem score decreased (P < 0.05), and the observation group was lower than the corresponding control group (P < 0.05 to P < 0.01). Before the intervention, there was no significant difference in 2 family caregivers care ability score (P>0.05), 2 weeks after the intervention, 2 strain and assistance, adaptation to care role, evaluate family and community resources, dealing with personal emotions, adjust life to meet the care needs score lower than before the intervention, and the observation.

Conclusions Life hope care program can relieve the stress of family caregivers for liver cancer, and improve their care level for patients.