Building on the benefits: assessing satisfaction and well-being in elder care

One hundred interviews were conducted with primary caregivers, with 63 held in the home of the caregiver and the remainder conducted in a location convenient to the caregiver. Each participant completed the Caregiver Well-Being Scale (CWB), the Caregiving Uplifts Scale (CUPL), the Caregiving Satisfaction Scale (CSS), and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Scores on the CWB, the CUPL, and the CSS were significantly higher for caregivers for elders with a primarily physical (e.g., heart disease) rather than a primarily cognitive impairment (e.g., dementia); indicating greater perceived caregiver benefits based on type of care recipient impairment. Little evidence of depressive symptoms was found in either group of caregivers. These findings advance previous research by indicating that caregivers experience satisfaction in their role and the potential for personal fulfillment even when faced with challenging circumstances. The validation of positive experiences and the impact that positive appraisals have on levels of depression are discussed.