Table 2 Frequency of family caregivers’ care needs in four stages of study in different dimensions

 Respect the patient when performing education, treatment or rehabilitation

 Providing information on disease progress

 To have my question answered honestly

 To have information on medication and treatment

 To have information on the patient’s physical problems

 To have information on the patient’s rehabilitation progress

 To be assured that the best possible medical care is being given to the patient

 To be informed about all changes in the patient’s medical status, such as blood

 To be informed about the exams and laboratory results daily

 To have explanations from professionals given in terms I can understand

 To have information on the patient’s thought problems

 To know how to communicate with patients

 To have information about dying and hospice care when the patient disease reaches the end

 Conveying advice with the help of professionals

 To have other family members understand the patient’s problems

 To have support from family and friends

 To discuss my feelings about caring for the patient with other friends or family

 Being informed of how to handle the medical emergencies of the patient

 To have comprehensive information for the patient eg, rehabilitation programmes, physical therapy

 Being informed on what to do when the patient became upset or acted strange

 To discuss with heath care workers on how much the patient can do independently

 To have help from other members of the family in taking care of the patient

 To get enough rest or sleep

 To have information about financial assistance, eg, physical and mental disability benefits, medical expenses, catastrophic illness benefits, hospital care in seriously ill low-income subsidy

 To get a break from my problems and responsibilities

 To have time to spend with friends

 To have information about homecare (eg, home rehabilitation, day care, respite care)

 To have information about assistive devices (eg, beds, wheelchairs, oxygen, suction machine, ventilator)

 To have information on patients’ long-term care (eg, nursing home, respiratory care center)

 To have help keeping the house (eg, shopping, cleaning, cooking, etc.)

 Help remaining hopeful about the future

 To be encouraged to ask others to help out

 To express my feelings about the patient with someone who has gone through the same experience

 To have my partner or friends understand how difficult it is for me

 Help in getting over my doubts and fears about the future

 To have time to go to temple or church

 To be reassured it is usual to have strong negative feelings about the patient

 To discuss my feelings about the patient with a professional, eg, anxious, worry, sad, feeling guilty, ange

 To learn how to help patients stand up, shift and rehabilitation techniques

 To help patients deal with physical care to make patients more comfortable, eg, grooming, bathing and massage

 To learn how to prepare meals for patients

 To learn nasogastric tube and urinary catheter care

 To learn patients’ wound care