Heart failure is a complex condition affecting 1-2% of individuals in developed countries. Its prevalence is increasing due to aging of the population. In advanced stages, heart failure often requires daily care, typically provided by family members. Research indicates that family caregiving can reduce hospitalizations and mortality rates among heart failure patients. However, this caregiving role can be physically and emotionally demanding, leading to risks such as caregiver exhaustion, depression, and other health issues, which can ultimately impact their quality of life. The objective was to identify direct and indirect predictors of the quality of life among family members caring for patients with heart failure. A total of 101 family caregivers of heart failure patients participated in this study. Participants were recruited from the cardiology departments of two medical centers in southern Israel. The survey included reliable and valid measures of quality of life, caregiving responsibilities, and socio-demographic characteristics. Path analyses were conducted to identify predictors of caregivers' quality of life. Most caregivers were women, and the majority were adult children of the patients. Caregivers' quality of life was directly associated with gender, years of education, and life satisfaction. Self-efficacy had an indirect association with quality of life through life-satisfaction. Additionally, caregiver burden and social support both had direct and indirect associations with quality of life. This study highlights the critical role of personal and social resources in determining caregivers' quality of life. It advocates for tailored interventions aimed at enhancing these resources through targeted community-based care initiatives.

Authors:
Yaacov Bachner, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel
Ruth Braver, Ben-Gurion University, Israel
Omry Braver, Ben-Gurion University, Israel
Norm O'Rourke, Ben-Gurion University, Israel

About the Presenter(s)
Professor Yaacov Bachner is a University Professor/Principal Lecturer at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel

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