Impact of Dementia Knowledge, Burden from Behavioral Psychological Symptoms of Dementia and Empathy in the Caring Behavior of Certified Caregivers in Nursing Homes

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify the impact of dementia knowledge, burden from behavioral psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) and empathy in the caring behavior of certified caregivers in nursing homes. Methods: The participants in this study were 203 caregivers who worked in 15 institutions. They were selected by quota sampling from 177 nursing homes in Jeollanam-do. Collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test or ANOVA, Scheffé test, Pearson correlation coefficient, and multiple regression analysis. Results: Knowledge about dementia actually did not influence caring behavior (β=-.10, p=.197), but empathy towards elderly people (β=.23, p=.004) and the burden of BPSD (β=.16, p=.032) was found to have a positive influence on caring behaviors. Conclusion: The findings show that the factors that influence caring behaviors were empathy and the burden of BPSD and empathy was the most influential factor. Thus, there is a need to develop arbitration programs and include in the programs a caregiver curriculum directed at raising the level of empathy in caregivers. Also, continuous education to enable quick and accurate detection of BPSD and on how to handle it is crucial for caregivers in this sector.

Factors Influencing Care Behavior of Certified Care Assistants for Older Adults with Dementia

“…Korean CCAs had higher levels of dementia knowledge while non-Korean CCAs had higher levels of attitude and care behavior toward older adults with dementia. In Yun and Ryu's study [17] with CCAs working in nursing homes, their dementia knowledge was 15.2 out of 20, which was higher than the Korean CCAs and non-Korean CCAs in this study. This may be due to a mixture of work settings of the participants.…”

“…Higher scores indicate better care behavior for older adults with dementia. Cronbach's ⍺ was .83 in the original study [18] and .87 in Yoon and Ryu's study [17] and .93 in this study.…”

“…The researcher, however, was not able to obtain the information. This instrument, which is widely used, was used in Yoon and Ryu's study [17] and also in Noh, Lim and Hur's study [22]. Cronbach's ⍺ was .77 and, in this study, it was .66.…”

“…Older adults with dementia often have cognitive and emotional disorders and, as symptoms worsen over time, they need complex care from others. Previous studies showed that CCA care behaviors correlate with knowledge of dementia and attitude toward older adults with dementia [17,18]. Knowledge of older adults affects the attitude and behavior towards them, ultimately determining the quality of care for older adults.…”

Person-centered Care and Person-centered Care Climate of Long-term Care Facilities for the Elderly

“…The elderly who entered the care facilities are weak in cognitive, physical and psychological aspects since they have high rate of chronic and elderly diseases such as dementia and cerebral infarction [3]. However, as fulfilling the basic physiological requirements of the elderly is considered the accomplishment of the caring duty, the elderly"s opinions are not normally respected or communications with them are not properly made [4]. Therefore, in order for care service in the long-term care facilities for the elderly to be provided properly, individual care for the elderly and person-centered care respecting their values are required [5].…”