Quality Of Life In Family Caregivers Research Articles

Quality of Life of Family Caregivers of Patients With Cancer: A Literature Review

To systematically review literature regarding the quality of life (QOL) of family caregivers of patients with cancer and evaluate the instruments measuring family caregivers' QOL. PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, ISI Web of Science, and EBSCO electronic databases; published literature. Overall, the QOL of family caregivers of patients with cancer varied. Influences related to family caregivers' QOL were identified. Global and generic measures have been used because of the lack of specific instruments. Comparisons are complicated because several measures were used at different times along the illness trajectory with caregivers caring for people with various types and stages of cancer. A more explicit definition of QOL for family caregivers of patients with cancer and specific instruments suitable for different cultures are needed to enhance knowledge. Maintaining the QOL of caregivers is important in their ability to provide the care required to keep family members with cancer in the community. Nurses must provide care to maintain caregivers' QOL.

The Health of Chronically Ill Children

This study aims to assess family caregiver quality of life (QOL) and its relationship to the health of chronically ill children. Family caregivers (n = 100) completed the Medical Outcomes Short Form 36, Beck Depression Inventory, and Caregiver Quality of Life for Cystic Fibrosis Scale. Disease severity data were collected for children with cystic fibrosis. Analysis revealed significant QOL issues; and as the child's disease severity increases, the QOL of the caregiver decreases. A relationship exists between the child's and caregiver's health. Program recommendations to benefit family caregiver health and in turn benefit health of chronically ill children are discussed.

Toward a model of quality of life for family caregivers of stroke survivors.

The important role of family caregivers in maintaining their disabled and elderly members in the community is becoming increasingly recognized. Caregiver research, for the most part, has explored burden and emotional distress as outcomes of the caregiving experience. Although there is a growing consensus among health-care researchers concerning the importance of quality of life (QoL) as an outcome, there is little research examining QoL of family caregivers. The purpose of this paper, therefore, was to construct a conceptual framework from which to study the QoL of family caregivers of stroke survivors. Findings from a review of studies addressing the QoL of these caregivers guided the development of the model. The components of the model include the caregiving situation, characteristics of the caregiver, and environmental factors, and their proposed relationships with QoL. This model provides a framework for investigating how the caregiving experience impacts on the caregiver's QoL.

Family Caregiver Burden and Quality of Life According to the Levels of CVA Patient's Self-Care

This study was done to examine the relationship between family caregiver burden and quality of life according to self-care levels of CVA patient. Data were collected 96 family caregivers of the CVA patients at four university oriental hospitals in Gwangju City, Jeonnam and Jeonbuk from July 20 to Aug. 10, 2001.Data collection was done by questionnaire.The research instruments used Daily Life Measurement Instrument developed by Kang Hyun-Suk(1984), Burden Measurement Instrument developed by Novak & Guest(1989) and Zarit (1980) and revised by Lee Sook-Ja( 1993). and Quality of Life Measurement Instrument developed by Noh Yoo-Ja(1988).The results of this research were as follows :1. The mean score of family caregiver burden was 2.81. The mean score of and family caregiver quality of life was 2.92. 2. The levels of family caregiver burden according to the geneial characteristics of family caregiver were statistically significant differences at age(F=3.99, p = .005), marital state(F = 7.39, p = .001), support responsibility(F=4.44, p-.O14) and patient-caregiver relationship before the attack of diseased 7 = 3.94. p= .011).3. The levels of family caregiver burden according to the general characteristics of patient were statistically significant difference at education level(F = 2.804, p = .044).4. The 1st. hypothesis, "the higher self-care levels of patient, the lower family caregiver burden" (r=~.433, p = .000) was supported.The 2nd. hypothesis, the higher self-care levels of patient, "the higher their caregiver quality of life (r = .254, p = .O12)" was supported.The 3rd. hypothesis, "the lower family caregiver burden, the higher their Quality of Life"(r = -0.572, p = .000) was supported.5. Family caregiver burden, religion, and marital state were predict이 s to family caregiver quality of life.

Family Caregiver Quality of Life: Differences Between Curative and Palliative Cancer Treatment Settings

To compare the impact of cancer caregiving in curative and palliative settings on family caregiver quality of life (QOL), 267 family caregivers of cancer patients receiving curative treatment were compared to 134 family caregivers of cancer patients receiving palliative treatment through hospice. Both groups completed a demographic profile in addition to two self-report QOL questionnaires. Patient performance status and disease site were also recorded. Family caregivers of patients receiving palliative care had significantly lower QOL scores and lower scores on physical health. Hierarchical multiple regressions showed that after accounting for patient performance status, treatment status accounted for no additional significant variability in QOL scores. After accounting for caregiver level of education, treatment status accounted for no additional significant variability in physical health. These results suggest that the lower QOL scores of caregivers in the palliative setting are a reflection of the patients’ poorer performance status. The lower physical health scores of caregivers in the palliative setting appear to be a reflection of their lower educational level. Additional research is needed to evaluate the influence of specific demands of caregiving and emotional distress of the caregiver on caregiver QOL. J Pain Symptom Manage 1999;17:418–428.

Family Caregiving in Cancer Pain Management

The experience of cancer pain is known to greatly affect family caregivers as well as patients. There are many demands placed on caregivers of cancer patients with pain at home as a result of the shifting of care from the acute setting to the home. These complex demands significantly affect caregiver quality of life. The purpose of this study was to describe the experience of pain management from the perspective of family caregivers of patients with cancer amidst the current healthcare environment. This quasi-experimental study involved 231 family caregivers of patients with cancer pain receiving home care. Family caregivers were assessed in conjunction with a pain education program that provided patient and. family education regarding pain assessment, drug and nondrug interventions. Assessment measures used were the Quality of Life (QOL)-Family Caregiver Tool, Knowledge and Attitudes about Pain (K&A) Tool, and Caregiver Finances Tool. Study findings reveal disruption to family caregiver quality of life in the areas of physical, psychological, social, and spiritual well-being. There is also a continued need for education regarding cancer pain management. Comparison between patients and family caregivers demonstrates that pain impacts both the patient experiencing it and their caregivers.