1
|
Odle-James T, Willie-Tyndale D. Companions' Chronicles: Experiences of Home Care Workers in the Community Elder Care (Companion) Program in Barbados. J Appl Gerontol 2023; 42:589-596. [PMID: 36484408 DOI: 10.1177/07334648221143611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The home care workforce contributes significantly to older adults' health and well-being. The Community Elder Care (Companion) Program in Barbados employs Companions to engage with socially isolated older adults in their homes for a few hours per day. In this qualitative study we explored Companions' experiences in the program 1 year since its commencement. Opportunity to earn, love and concern for older adults, and previous caregiving experiences were among the factors which motivated participants to seek employment in the program. They commonly reported going beyond the scope of their duties to meet clients' critical needs. While they saw themselves as positively impacting their clients, some noted that they too benefitted from the engagement. Better compensation packages and training were seen as necessary actions for program improvement. Our findings can be incorporated in a comprehensive program review and can inform home care workforce development and Companion Program structure and delivery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thérèse Odle-James
- The Department of Government, Sociology, Social Work and Psychology, 41633The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Bridgetown, Barbados
| | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Tangchitnusorn K, Prachuabmoh V. Motivation and Quality of Work Life of In-Home Paid Caregivers of Older Adults. J Appl Gerontol 2023; 42:737-746. [PMID: 36513623 DOI: 10.1177/07334648221145167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Hiring in-home paid caregivers (IPCs) to tend to older adults at home has been one of the popular long-term care strategies in several urban aging societies. Relevant studies in the Global South that provide empirical findings have been lacking. This study contributes to the literature on home care by conducting a qualitative analysis of work motivation and the quality of work life of female IPCs in Thailand. We found that work motivation involved the desire for personal economic improvement and the search for an emotional anchor. Analysis of quality of work life pointed to three major themes: great contribution but low recognition and support; interdependence as an ultimate career goal; and effective training as a key to opportunity and success. We proposed a theoretical extension to the existing care theories and suggested necessary policy interventions to sustain the supply of IPCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Vipan Prachuabmoh
- College of Population Studies, 197948Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Lorini C, Buscemi P, Mossello E, Schirripa A, Giammarco B, Rigon L, Albora G, Giorgetti D, Biamonte MA, Fattorini L, Bruno RM, Giusti G, Longobucco Y, Ungar A, Bonaccorsi G. Health literacy of informal caregivers of older adults with dementia: results from a cross-sectional study conducted in Florence (Italy). Aging Clin Exp Res 2023; 35:61-71. [PMID: 36260214 PMCID: PMC9580430 DOI: 10.1007/s40520-022-02271-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
AIM The aim of this study was to measure the prevalence of inadequate health literacy (HL) in a sample of family caregivers of older adults with dementia, and to assess the relationship of HL with characteristics of caregiver and persons with dementia. METHODS The study followed a cross-sectional design. Persons with dementia and their family caregivers were enrolled in an outpatients' geriatric memory clinic. For the caregivers, the following information was collected: socio-demographic data, level of HL, cognitive impairment (using the Mini-Cog). For persons with dementia, the following data were collected: socio-demographic data, functional status (using the Basic and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living), cognitive impairment (using the Mini Mental State Evaluation, and the Global Deterioration Scale) behavioral and psychological symptoms associated with dementia (assessed using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory). RESULTS A total of 174 person with dementia/caregiver dyads were enrolled. About 45% of the caregivers presented a possibility or a high likelihood of inadequate HL. The percentage of caregivers with inadequate HL was higher among spousal caregivers than in offspring. Female gender, higher age and lower education were independent predictors of low HL. On multiple logistic regression analysis, persons with dementia assisted by caregivers with a high likelihood of limited HL presented higher risk of a more severe disease. CONCLUSION The results of this study suggest that the HL of dementia caregivers has to be included in the comprehensive geriatric assessment, to develop an appropriate individualized care plan. Moreover, public health interventions are needed to increase the HL of dementia caregivers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Lorini
- Department of Health Science, University of Florence, Florence, Italy ,Health Literacy Laboratory, Department of Health Science, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Primo Buscemi
- Medical Specialization School in Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Florence, viale GB Morgagni 48, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Enrico Mossello
- Division of Geriatric and Intensive Care Medicine, Careggi Hospital, Firenze, Italy ,School of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Annamaria Schirripa
- Medical Specialization School in Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Florence, viale GB Morgagni 48, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Barbara Giammarco
- Medical Specialization School in Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Florence, viale GB Morgagni 48, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Lisa Rigon
- Medical Specialization School in Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Florence, viale GB Morgagni 48, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Albora
- Medical Specialization School in Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Florence, viale GB Morgagni 48, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Duccio Giorgetti
- Medical Specialization School in Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Florence, viale GB Morgagni 48, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Alberto Biamonte
- Medical Specialization School in Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Florence, viale GB Morgagni 48, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Letizia Fattorini
- Medical Specialization School in Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Florence, viale GB Morgagni 48, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Rita Manuela Bruno
- School of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Gemma Giusti
- Department of Health Science, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Yari Longobucco
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Andrea Ungar
- Division of Geriatric and Intensive Care Medicine, Careggi Hospital, Firenze, Italy ,School of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Guglielmo Bonaccorsi
- Department of Health Science, University of Florence, Florence, Italy ,Health Literacy Laboratory, Department of Health Science, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Bonaccorsi G, Pieralli F, Innocenti M, Milani C, Del Riccio M, Donzellini M, Baggiani L, Lorini C. Health Literacy among Non-Familial Caregivers of Older Adults: A Study Conducted in Tuscany (Italy). INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16193771. [PMID: 31597265 PMCID: PMC6801529 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16193771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Revised: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Many older adults who live at home depend on a caregiver. When familial support cannot provide the necessary care, paid caregivers are frequently hired. Health literacy (HL) is the knowledge and competence required of people to meet the complex demands of health in modern society. The aim of this study is to assess the HL level of paid non-familial caregivers who were enrolled through two different sources: from the homes of assisted people in two Tuscan health districts (first sample) and during job interviews in a home care agency operating in Florence (second sample). The two different recruitment contexts allow us to provide a broader view of the phenomenon, presenting a picture of the HL level of those who are already working and those who are looking for a new job in this field. One-on-one face-to-face interviews, which include the administration of the Newest Vital Sign (NVS) to measure HL, were conducted. Recruitment resulted in 84 caregivers in the first sample and 68 in the second sample. In the first sample, the mean age was 51.2 ± 9 years; 94% of the participants were women. A high likelihood or likelihood of inadequate HL (i.e., a low level of HL) was found in 73.8% of cases. In the second sample, the mean age was 43.7 ± 11.5 years; 83.8% of the participants were women, and 80.9% had a low level of HL. In both samples, HL was statistically associated with the level of understanding of the Italian language. In conclusion, inadequate HL is an under-recognized problem among non-familial caregivers. Educational programs that aim to increase HL skills could be an effective approach to improving the qualification of informal healthcare professionals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guglielmo Bonaccorsi
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Viale GB Morgagni 48, 50134 Florence, Italy.
| | - Francesca Pieralli
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Viale GB Morgagni 48, 50134 Florence, Italy.
| | - Maddalena Innocenti
- School of Specialization in Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Florence, Viale GB Morgagni 48, 50134 Florence, Italy.
| | - Chiara Milani
- School of Specialization in Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Florence, Viale GB Morgagni 48, 50134 Florence, Italy.
| | - Marco Del Riccio
- School of Specialization in Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Florence, Viale GB Morgagni 48, 50134 Florence, Italy.
| | - Martina Donzellini
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Viale GB Morgagni 48, 50134 Florence, Italy.
| | - Lorenzo Baggiani
- AUSL Toscana Centro, Florence, Piazza Santa Maria Nuova 1, 50122 Florence, Italy.
| | - Chiara Lorini
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Viale GB Morgagni 48, 50134 Florence, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Bonaccorsi G, Pieralli F, Innocenti M, Milani C, Del Riccio M, Bechini A, Boccalini S, Bonanni P, Lorini C. Non-familial paid caregivers as potential flu carriers and cause of spread: the primary prevention of flu measured through their adhesion to flu vaccination campaigns-A Florentine experience. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2019; 15:2416-2422. [PMID: 30883258 PMCID: PMC6816408 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2019.1593726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Influenza vaccination is recommended for caregivers of elderly people. In a study aimed at assessing the level of health literacy (HL) in a sample non-familial caregivers in the Florence Health District (Tuscany), data were collected regarding access and adherence to the flu vaccination campaigns. Methods: The sample consists of 47 non-familial paid caregivers. We collected information regarding socio-demographic characteristics, services provided and daily work time, whether or not influenza vaccination was administered for the 2016/2017 season and in the previous three years. The level of HL was assessed through the Newest Vital Sign. Results: 63.8% of non-familial caregivers have not joined the flu campaigns over the last four years, 14.9% have been vaccinated only sometimes (in some epidemic seasons), and 21.3% have received a flu shot in all the seasons investigated. Most of the non-familial caregivers who do not get vaccinated (27.7%) do not perceive that they are in direct contact with a person at-risk; those who get the vaccine regularly (12.8%) reported they want to protect the assisted person as motivation for vaccine uptake. Vaccination was not associated with HL. Conclusion: Adhesion to anti-flu vaccination campaigns for these homecare workers has been resulted rather poor. Coverage does not seem to be related with HL level. It seems appropriate to promote extensively flu vaccination among family carers by actively offering the vaccination in appropriate forms, places and times, to avoid serious consequences on elderly people with higher risk of comorbidity and frailty.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Francesca Pieralli
- School of Specialization in Hygiene and Public Health, University of Florence , Firenze , Italy
| | - Maddalena Innocenti
- School of Specialization in Hygiene and Public Health, University of Florence , Firenze , Italy
| | - Chiara Milani
- School of Specialization in Hygiene and Public Health, University of Florence , Firenze , Italy
| | - Marco Del Riccio
- School of Specialization in Hygiene and Public Health, University of Florence , Firenze , Italy
| | - Angela Bechini
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence , Firenze , Italy
| | - Sara Boccalini
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence , Firenze , Italy
| | - Paolo Bonanni
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence , Firenze , Italy
| | - Chiara Lorini
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence , Firenze , Italy
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Wellard SJ, Rasmussen B, Savage S, Dunning T. Exploring staff diabetes medication knowledge and practices in regional residential care: triangulation study. J Clin Nurs 2013; 22:1933-40. [DOI: 10.1111/jocn.12043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/21/2012] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sally Jane Wellard
- School of Health Sciences; University of Ballarat; Ballarat Victoria Vic. Australia
| | - Bodil Rasmussen
- School of Nursing and Midwifery; Deakin University; Burwood Victoria Australia
| | - Sally Savage
- School of Nursing and Midwifery; Deakin University; Geelong Victoria Australia
| | - Trisha Dunning
- School of Nursing and Midwifery; Deakin University; Geelong Victoria Australia
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Lindquist LA, Cameron KA, Messerges-Bernstein J, Friesema E, Zickuhr L, Baker DW, Wolf M. Hiring and screening practices of agencies supplying paid caregivers to older adults. J Am Geriatr Soc 2012; 60:1253-9. [PMID: 22724430 PMCID: PMC3396775 DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2012.04047.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To assess what screening practices agencies use in hiring caregivers and how caregiver competency is measured before assigning responsibilities in caring for older adults. DESIGN One-to-one phone interviews in which interviewers posed as prospective clients seeking a caregiver for an older adult relative. SETTING Cross-sectional cohort of agencies supplying paid caregivers to older adults in Illinois, California, Florida, Colorado, Arizona, Wisconsin, and Indiana. PARTICIPANTS Four hundred sixty-two home care agencies were contacted, of which 84 were no longer in service, 165 offered only nursing care, and 33 were excluded; 180 agencies completed interviews. MEASUREMENTS Agencies were surveyed about their hiring methods, screening measures, training practices, skill competencies assessments, and supervision. Two coders qualitatively analyzed open-ended responses. RESULTS To recruit caregivers, agencies primarily used print and Internet (e.g., Craigslist.com) advertising (n = 69, 39.2%) and word-of-mouth referrals (n = 49, 27.8%). In hiring, agencies required prior "life experiences" (n = 121, 68.8%) few of which (n = 33, 27.2%) were specific to caregiving. Screening measures included federal criminal background checks (n = 96, 55.8%) and drug testing (n = 56, 31.8%). Agencies stated that the paid caregiver could perform skills, such as medication reminding (n = 169, 96.0%). Skill competency was assessed according to caregiver self-report (n = 103, 58.5%), testing (n = 62, 35.2%), and client feedback (n = 62, 35.2%). General caregiver training length ranged from 0 to 7 days. Supervision ranged from none to weekly and included home visits, telephone calls, and caregivers visiting the central office. CONCLUSION Using an agency to hire paid caregivers may give older adults and their families a false sense of security regarding the background and skill set of the caregiver.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lee A Lindquist
- Division of General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Lindquist LA, Tam K, Friesema E, Martin GJ. Paid caregiver motivation, work conditions, and falls among senior clients. Arch Gerontol Geriatr 2012; 55:442-5. [PMID: 22360830 DOI: 10.1016/j.archger.2012.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2011] [Revised: 01/17/2012] [Accepted: 01/19/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine the motivation of paid non-familial caregivers of seniors, understand more about their work conditions, and identify any links to negative outcomes among their senior clients. Ninety-eight paid caregivers (eighty-five female and thirteen male), recruited from multiple sites (i.e. senior centers, shopping malls, local parks, lobbies of senior apartments, caregiver agency meetings) completed face-to-face questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. We found that 60.7% of participants chose to become a caregiver because they enjoyed being with seniors while 31.7% were unable to obtain other work, and 8.2% stated it was a prerequisite to a different health related occupation. Caregivers stated that the most challenging conditions of their work were physical lifting (24.5%), behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (24.5%), senior depression/mood changes (18.4%), attachment with impending death (8.2%), missing injuries to client (5.1%), lack of sleep (4.1%), and lack of connection with outside world (3.1%). Caregivers who reported that the best part of their job was the salary, flexible hours, and ease of work were significantly more likely to have clients who fell and fractured a bone than those who enjoyed being with seniors (job characteristics, 62.5% vs. senior enjoyment, 25.6%; p<0.004). We concluded that in pursuing their occupation, paid caregivers are motivated commonly by their love of seniors and also by their lack of other job opportunities. Paid caregivers frequently face challenging work conditions. When seeking a caregiver for a senior, motivation of the caregiver should be considered when hiring.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lee A Lindquist
- Division of Geriatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|