“Today I brought some pears from my tree to a neighbor next door and found that she was going through difficulties with her 91 year old mother. She was depressed and tears came to her eyes when she spoke of the difficulties she was going through. I recommended you as you were so helpful in getting me through the problems of dementia and paranoia with my own mom. Thank you for being there. I don’t know what I would have done without you.” —Caregiver and  daughter

Results from the first statewide caregiver satisfaction survey are in. 1,355 family caregivers voiced their satisfaction with services provided by one of California’s eleven Caregiver Resource Centers (CRCs) throughout the state. Ninety-seven percent of respondents indicated that they were satisfied with the overall quality of the services received from their Caregiver Resource Center. Ninety-eight percent said they would probably or definitely recommend their CRC to others.

Survey recipients were selected through a random, computer generated sample of  CRC clients. In all, 4,311 family caregivers were selected to complete the survey. Identities remained anonymous, however CRC records indicated that each survey recipient received one or more CRC service during a designated time period. The survey was made available to caregivers in both English and Spanish and 20 Spanish language surveys were completed and returned.

Family caregivers were asked to rate their experience with their CRC during the prior six months. Highlights of the survey include:

• 96 percent of respondents said CRC services were helpful for their situation.
• 95 percent said CRC staff were available at times that were good for the caregivers.
• 95 percent felt CRC services were convenient and easy to use.
• 95 percent felt CRC staff provided them with information and resources to best manage their caregiving situation.

“Words cannot express what a godsend your service has been. Your staff couldn’t be more effective or inspiring. Thanks to your services I know how to take care of myself as well as my husband. I’m learning to be more loving and compassionate and to roll with the punches. I can’t imagine what I’d do without this service. Thank you so much.” —Caregiver and  wife.

We wanted to know if the staff and services of the CRC helped a caregiver feel more confident and knowledgeable about providing care.

• 94 percent of care givers felt that they dealt more effectively with daily caregiving problems.
• 94 percent said they better understood the disease/condition     of the person for whom they cared, and 93 percent of respondents felt better equipped to deal with a care crisis.
• 93 percent felt confident that help was available.
• 92 percent said that they knew how to better take care of their needs as a caregiver.
• 89 percent agreed that as a re sult of working with their CRC they take better care of their own health.

California’s Caregiver Resource Centers plan to conduct a similar survey within a year to help measure service effectiveness and impact on caregiver confidence over time.

“I am very appreciative when the CRC [FCA] staff calls and talks to me on the phone. It helps me look at my situation from a more objective point of view. Thank you for being there!! Your services are a huge help. I am going on four years caring for my parents in their home. It’s tough. You folks help make it tolerable. Thanks again!!” —Caregiver and daughter