The Mediator Effects of Depressive Symptoms on the Relationship between Family Functioning and Quality of Life in Caregivers of Patients with Heart Failure

There are approximately 6.5 million patients in the United States currently diagnosed with HF. In order to improve outcomes, HF patients must perform effective HF self-care.1 As most patients with HF are elderly and impaired, HF self-care usually requires assistance from caregivers.2 Caregiving can be rewarding to some caregivers; however, many caregivers suffer from depressive symptoms and poor quality of life (QOL) as a consequence of caregiving.3 Caregivers often neglect their self-care and social relationships in order to perform HF caregiving.
Source: Heart and Lung - Category: Intensive Care Authors: Source Type: research