title: The experience of quality of life for caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease living in Sardinia, Italy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  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.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
  
  
  RESULTS
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of Rome "Tor Vergata," Rome, Italy. ercole.vellone@uniroma2.it
authors.forename: Ercole
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vellone
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Piras
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Venturini
authors.forename: Rosaria
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Alvaro
authors.forename: Marlene Z
authors.initials: MZ
authors.lastname: Cohen
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D054521:Cultural Competency; D005260:Female; D005851:Geriatric Nursing; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011594:Psychometrics; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D019035:Rural Health Services; D013315:Stress, Psychological