Factors Influencing the Quality of Life of the Primary Caregiver of a Palliative Patient: Narrative Review.

Abstract

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Quality of life is a difficult concept to understand and therefore difficult to evaluate. From the general definition to the individuality of the person, there are factors that positively or negatively influence quality of life. <b><i>Aim:</i></b> The aim is to identify the factors that influence the quality of life of primary caregivers of patients with progressive life-threatening illnesses. <b><i>Methodology:</i></b> PUBMED was searched to retrieve the relevant literature for our research questions used the following keywords: "Quality of life and caregiver or caretaker and palliative care or life threatening disease." Only quantitative studies containing randomized trials were included using at least one caregiver's quality-of-life tool, not older than 10 years, written in English, and with subjects older than 18 years, who considered they were involved in the active care of a palliative patient. <b><i>Results:</i></b> A number of 687 articles were identified from which only 38 were analyzed in detail regarding the impact of different interventions over the quality-of-life of the caregiver. The factors that influence the quality-of-life can be distributed into four areas: social, psycho-emotional, financial, and physical. The disruption of daily routine, non-existential financial resources, multiple responsibilities and psychological tension are reduce the caregiver's quality-of-life. Family involvment, knowledge about disease and treatment, abilities to communicate patient and the team and optimistic atitude improve caregiver's quality-of-life. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> The quality of life of the caregiver be improved by social, and relaxation techniques, reduction of insecurity or anxiety. Furthermore, the caregiver's quality of increases through and adequate communication diagnosis, a proper conducted treatment and education over the care maneuvers.