Successful foster caregivers of geriatric patients.

The authors examined the characteristics of caregivers from two foster care programs designed to substitute for nursing home placement of severely disabled elders. The more successful caregivers became foster families for humanitarian reasons, had more caregiving experience, gained satisfaction from the role, involved the patient in family activities, and did not feel more religious than other people. The findings provide guides for screening applicant foster caregivers of geriatric patients.