Caregiver satisfaction

In a retrospective questionnaire study of overall satisfaction among caregivers with intrathecal baclofen in six children and... 

What physicians and nurses can do to help family caregivers achieve life satisfaction and optimal outcomes... 

Family members who received adequate help when it was needed had experienced significantly less burden of care than those without help. Some family caregivers reported no burden of care, despite having loved ones with severe disability, if they had the finances and benefits to receive hired help at home everyday. They either had built-in family support or were forced to hire caregivers. Life satisfaction of family caregivers also depended on whether their loved ones were satisfied. Patients who had acquired the ability to cope with the physical and emotional aspects of the disease often had peace of mind. That enhanced the family caregivers ability to cope and still enjoy life. Despite severe disability, many families continued to respond positively to the patient. 

The ability to anticipate and engage in pleasurable activities and to maintain an environment where family members live in harmony with one another are essential components for life satisfaction. Family caregivers and LTMV patients need to know they have a purpose for living (13), and must have a desire to live their lives to the fiiUest potential, despite their circumstances (14). 

Table 1 Predictors for Caregivers Achieving Life Satisfaction...

XIV. What Physicians and Nurses Can Do to Help Family Caregivers Achieve Life Satisfaction and Optimal Outcomes... 

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