[Positive perceptions encouraging continued caregiving at home among family caregivers]

Few data are available on factors encouraging continued caregiving at home, especially in relation to positive perceptions of caregiving and the care burden. This study was conducted to explore this question.

We collected data from forty caregivers using Visiting nursing station, with structured interviews conducted at home.

1. Sixty-five percent of caregivers had positive perceptions of the worth and enjoyment of their work in caregiving. 2. Encouraging continued caregiving was associated with positive perceptions and these are relatively independent of the care burden. 3. Caregivers who had high encouraging continued caregiving were spouses or children of the clients. They had positive attitude to caregiving, an intention to use social services and satisfaction in caregiving. 4. Events from which caregivers felt worth and enjoyment in their work were improvement of client's health conditions, gratitude in client response, learning of care skills and strengthening bonds of family relationship.

The findings suggest it is important to approach caregivers for the positive perceptions, rather than simply by decreasing burden.