Increasing autonomy through improved care: effects of a professional care-giver training programme on the functional status of older adults

Abstract

The aim of the present research was to evaluate the effectiveness of a care-giver training programme that trains professional care-givers in cognitive stimulation strategies for functional maintenance in care-dependent older adults. The sample contained 69 older adults (37 in the treatment group, 32 control group) assessed with the Barthel Index, the Mini-Mental State Examination and the Clifton Assessment Procedure for the Elderly (Cognitive Scale). Participants in the treatment group were treated by professional care-givers who were trained with the programme CUIDA-2 in communication and cognitive stimulation strategies. The results from the Barthel Index showed significant differences in the post-intervention assessment and in the follow-up assessment, where the treatment group obtained higher scores, and there were significant differences within the treatment group between the initial assessment and the post-treatment assessment, as well as between the initial assessment and the follow-up. The data obtained reflect that a training programme to train professional care-givers produced functional benefits in the older adults, and these improvements persisted over time. Moreover, the care-givers saw themselves as more competent and more satisfied with their work.

Empowering Caregivers To Improve Quality Of Life Of Elderly In A Social Institution In Lampung Province, Indonesia

“…In line with this result lt, a study from (Navarro et al, 2021), by using module training and SSFQ (Star Staf Feedback Quessionaire) showed that caregivers in the treatment group believed the program modules were useful, giving it a mean score of 4.86 (SD = 0.378) on an ordinal scale of 0 to 5 and mentioning that their participation in the program had been a very positive experience and had contributed to increasing their professional knowledge, satisfaction and confidence.…”

Caregiver training: Evidence of its effectiveness for cognitive and functional improvement in older adults

“…Based on the foregoing, prior studies using experimental and control groups have verified significant improvement in the cognitive functioning, motor execution and visuomotor coordination, and functional ability of older adults in the care of professional caregivers trained in a programme of cognitive intervention strategies that were incorporated into their usual caregiving tasks (Navarro et al, 2021;Sanjuán et al, 2018).…”