Caregiver Satisfaction With Support Services

Abstract

The results support the importance of integrated care for frail seniors and informational services for their caregivers.

A quasi-experimental study of the effects of an integrated care intervention for the frail elderly on informal caregivers’ satisfaction with care and support

“…As a result, increased attention has been paid to the involvement and support of informal caregivers of frail elderly patients [15-17]. In this context, particular interest has been given to including informal caregivers in integrated care arrangements [10,18].…”

“…Consequently, a gap exists in the literature regarding the effects of integrated care on informal caregivers’ satisfaction [23]. Some studies have reported outcomes regarding this subject and have confirmed that integrated care indeed increases informal caregivers’ satisfaction with services [15,18,24]. However, the interventions and their subsequent evaluations were aimed primarily at improving care for elderly patients.…”

“…Informal caregivers greatly value clearly formulated care arrangements, adherence to these arrangements by professionals and adequate coordination [27-29]. In a study on satisfaction with case management, informal caregivers indicated that such clarity should extend to all information that is provided [27], including information regarding when, how and by whom care is provided, as well as information regarding the care recipient’s disease trajectory and available care and support services [15,27-29]. Informal caregivers also need information to address patients’ care and treatment demands themselves.…”

“…Care and support services that are flexible and compatible with the needs of both the care recipient and informal caregiver have been reported to contribute to informal caregiver satisfaction [5,15,27-29,38]. Informal caregivers see the monitoring of the quality of care as an important part of their role [39].…”

“…Dissatisfaction can also occur if many different care professionals are involved, especially when their composition is constantly changing [34]. In terms of support services for informal caregivers, it has been noted that the provision of assurance, advice and emotional support is important [15,35]. In addition, the provision of one-on-one professional guidance and ongoing case coordination is highly valued [5,15].…”