Journal of Korean Gerontological Nursing 2005;7(1):79-87.
재가 치매노인가족 단기방문 프로그램의 가족수발자 효과
김정희 김남초 임영미
Abstract
This study purports to examine the effects of a short-term home visiting program on primary family caregivers of elders with dementia at a local health center in a metropolitan city, Korea. We finished our services with 17 families with high burden. Each family received 2-3 hour service per vistit, twice a week. Data were analyzed by using Generalized McNemar test and Wilcoxon signed rank test. About half of caregivers with problems in supporting elder's bathing, shampooing and washing face changed positively. Regarding self-evaluated physical and mental health status, 35% was changed in each health status to the positive direction with no statistical signficance. Of those with bad mental health status, 80% changed significantly to the positive direction. Caregiving stress was relieved among 52.9% of the caregivers with no statistical significance. Caregiver's bad image toward their own elder improved positively at 10% significance level. Considering the limitation of statistical tests, we would bring attention to those positive changes observed in caregiver's physical and mental health, perceived stress, knowledge on dementia, and image toward their own elders. Those high-risk families with demented elders need long-term services, while our short-term services are more relevant for families with elders at an early stage of dementia.