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

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

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this study were to assess the benefits of a caregiver training programme on the cognitive and functional status of older adults, and to compare the effects of this programme according to type of caregiver (professional vs. family caregiver).

BACKGROUND

Due to demographic changes that have resulted in an aging population, the role of caregiver of an older adult has become very important in recent years.

DESIGN AND METHODS

The sample was composed of 160 older adults: (a) 100 received care from caregivers who had taken the three-month training programme (treatment group), of which 60 were professional caregivers and 40 were family caregivers, and (b) 60 received care from caregivers who had not taken the programme (control group). In order to evaluate programme effects on cognitive and functional status, we used both direct measures answered by the older adults (MMSE, CAPE and EuroQol) and caregiver reports (Barthel and RMPBC). We used a quasi-experimental, pre-post design. We followed SQUIRE 2.0 guidelines for reporting.

RESULTS

The results showed that older adults who were cared for by caregivers that had participated in the training programme showed gains in quality of life and cognitive ability and maintenance of functional ability. Within the treatment group, although everyone significantly improved their scores, the older adults cared for by family caregivers improved in more of the cognitive sub-items than did their peers in the professional caregiver group.

CONCLUSIONS

The data obtained show that a caregiver training programme based on cognitive stimulation produces cognitive, functional and health-related quality-of-life benefits in older adults. Furthermore, the caregivers reported increased satisfaction with their work.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

The improvements obtained in the older adults and in caregivers show the relevance of this type of intervention when working in the clinical field of caregiving.

[Caregiver training in a cognitive stimulation program: Differential effects according to the type of caregiver]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The ageing population and the increasing dependency associated with it, makes the caregiver a highly relevant figure nowadays. The present study analyzes the socio-demographic differences between family and professional caregivers and their satisfaction and implication in a training program for caregivers.

METHODS

The sample consisted of 59 caregivers of older people (37 were family caregivers and 22 professional caregivers) which received and implemented a caregivers training program in their daily care functions. These caregivers were trained in communication skills and cognitive stimulation strategies so they could use them in their daily care activities with the older adults under their care during a period of 3 months. All the participants were assessed with a socio-demographic questionnaire, 2 questionnaires to analyze their satisfaction with their work and the training received and one questionnaire to analyze their ability to detect and react to memory and behavior problems in the older adults they attended.

RESULTS

The results showed socio-demographic differences, improvements in satisfaction in family caregivers and a greater commitment in their daily work after the treatment in both groups although these effects could be due to different reasons.

CONCLUSIONS

The research shows the benefits of carrying out training programs for caregivers as they significantly increase the quality and satisfaction with caregiving. The study also displays the need to adjust such programs taking into account that the socio-demographic characteristics and training needs are different depending on whether de caregiver is a family member or a professional.