Family Caregivers Needed—No Training Provided

Abstract

Objective: This study was conducted with the aim of investigating the influence of the education provided to the caregivers of bedridden patients in accordance with the Ausubel's expository teaching strategy on the patients and the caregivers. Material and Methods: The randomized controlled intervention study included 132 patients (66 males and 66 females) in intervention group and 132 patients in control group and their family caregivers. In the first stage, the healthcare professionals for home care were given en education. In the second stage, 20-hour training intervention was carried out as expository within the frame of requirements determined for family caregivers. The control group was included in the routine program within the scope of home care service. The efficiency of these interventions was evaluated by using knowledge test of bedridden patient care, Zarit burden interview, inventory on evaluation of care provided by family members, pressure sore risk definition form (Braden Scale), and geriatric depression scale (GDS). Results: Intervention and control groups were found to be similar with regard to the parameters measured in pre-test. It was determined that after the training intervention, the caregivers had an increased knowledge level of bedridden patient care (p<0,001), their care burden significantly decreased (p<0.001), the efficiency of care provided by the family members was significant in favor of the interventiongroup (p<0.05),risk level of pressure sores of the patients was lower in the intervention group compared to control group (p<0.05), the median value of geriatric depression in bedridden patients decreased from 18 to 15 in intervention group, and their depression symptoms decreased (p<0.05).Conclusion: The education given as expository to family caregivers of bedridden patients was effective in increasing the caregiving competence, reducing the care burden, increasing the caregiving knowledge level, reducing the pressure risk and decreasing depression level of the patients.

Words Matter: The Language of Family Caregiving

“…Home Alone highlighted how the caregiving role had become increasingly complex, demanding, and stressful. With little to no training or support, caregivers are tasked with providing medical and nursing care in the home, navigating health and long‐term care systems, and serving as substitute decision makers . AARP recently released its 2019 follow‐up study, Home Alone Revisited, that reports the family caregiving role continues to be complex, involving tasks typically performed by nurses in hospital such as administering medications, changing dressings, managing incontinence, and assessing and treating pain .…”

Caring for a Relative With Dementia in Long-Term Care During COVID-19

“…The need to acknowledge family caregivers and include them as active partners in care planning has long been recognized as a critical unmet need in dementia care. 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 Now more than ever, incorporating family caregivers' perspectives into research and practice is necessary to optimize care for the remainder of the COVID-19 crisis.…”

Caregiver Needs Assessment in Primary Care: Views of Clinicians, Staff, Patients, and Caregivers

“…Further, an assessment can be useful to the primary care clinical team in designing care plans that appropriately account for the caregiverʼs capabilities and ensure the well-being of the patient. 13,14 Caregiver assessment when connected to appropriate referrals and support that benefit caregiving circumstances may help to address caregiversʼ unmet need for training 15,16 and confer positive effects for patients, payers, and society by reducing potentially unnecessary hospitalization and institutionalization. 17 The current knowledge base on caregiver assessment in primary care is surprisingly limited.…”