The Experience of Quality of Life for Caregivers of People With Alzheimer's Disease Living in Sardinia, Italy

Ercole Vellone, Giovanni Piras, Giulia Venturini, Rosaria Alvaro, Marlene Z. Cohen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

38 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose:This study explored the meaning of quality of life (QOL) for Sardinian caregivers of people affected with Alzheimer's disease and factors improving and worsening their QOL. Design: The phenomenological method was used to study 41 Alzheimer's disease caregivers living on the western coast of Sardinia, Italy. Interviews were conducted and analyzed using Cohen, Kahn, and Steeves's approach. Findings: Extracted themes were the following: unity and cooperation in the family; freedom/independence; having time for themselves; serenity/tranquility; and well-being and health. Caregivers identified factors that they believed worsened or improved their QOL. Family was particularly important for these caregivers. Discussion and Practice Implications: This study reinforces previous research about cultural influence on QOL and emphasizes the importance of nurses being culturally sensitive. Since Sardinia is a rural region, these findings may be useful for nurses working with caregivers in other rural settings.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)46-55
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Transcultural Nursing
Volume23
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2012

Keywords

  • Alzheimer's disease
  • Italy
  • Sardinia
  • caregivers
  • gerontology
  • phenomenological research
  • quality of life
  • rural nursing
  • transcultural health

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Nursing

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