Social Work with Family Caregivers to the Aged

1981 ◽  
Vol 62 (4) ◽  
pp. 201-209 ◽  
Author(s):  
George S. Getzel
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Support Services ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Case Examples ◽  
Work Program ◽  
Social Work Program

A social work program is presented that assists family members in caring for their elderly relatives through a combination of counseling and support services. The intervention sequence and skills needed are identified by the use of case examples, and practice principles are suggested for use in long-term care.

Sense of community in long-term care: the views of family caregivers of elderly military veterans

2012 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 390-402 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Petrovic-Poljak ◽  
Candace Konnert
Keyword(s):  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Sense Of Community ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Military Veterans ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Satisfaction With Care ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Term Care

ABSTRACTBackground: Family involvement in long-term care (LTC) is important but it can prove challenging and result in conflict with staff if families do not feel connected to the LTC facility or if they believe that their contributions are undervalued. According to McMillan & Chavis (1986), sense of community (SOC) refers to a feeling of belonging, having influence, having needs met, and having an emotional connection to individuals in a community, and may be particularly essential for family caregivers of military veterans in LTC. This is the first study that evaluates SOC among family caregivers in LTC.Methods: Semi-structured interviews and self-report questionnaires assessing caregiver demographics, caregiving variables, and SOC were administered to 46 family caregivers.Results: Caregivers endorsed a SOC that was positively related to key caregiving variables, such as family adjustment and satisfaction with care, and was negatively related to conflict with staff. Notably, caregivers’ connections to the military community were positively related to SOC in LTC. Multiple regression analyses indicated that satisfaction with care accounted for the most variance in SOC (32.7%).Conclusions: This is the first study that examines SOC among family caregivers of military veterans in LTC, a subgroup of family caregivers with unique histories and needs. Although there are measures designed to assess family members’ level of satisfaction with different facets of LTC, SOC provides unique information about whether family members feel part of the LTC community as valued partners in care. SOC is an important yet understudied construct that could contribute substantially to our understanding of family-focused care.

scholarly journals The Development and Testing of KNACC: Knowledgeable Nursing Assistants as Creative Caregivers

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 675-675
Author(s):  
Jacqueline Eaton ◽  
Kristin Cloyes ◽  
Brooke Paulsen ◽  
Connie Madden ◽  
Lee Ellington
Keyword(s):  
Focus Groups ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Nursing Assistants ◽  
Direct Care ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Memory Care

Abstract Nursing assistants (NAs) provide 80% of direct care in long-term care settings, yet are seldom viewed as skilled professionals. Empowering NAs is linked to improved resident outcomes. In this study, we collaborate with NAs to adapt and test the feasibility and acceptability of arts-based creative caregiving techniques (CCG) for use in long-term care. We held a series of focus groups (n=14) to adapt, refine, and enhance usability. We then evaluated implementation in two waves of testing (n=8). Those working in memory care units were more likely to use all techniques, while those working in rehabilitation were more hesitant to implement. Participants reported using CCG to distract upset residents. Family members were excited about implementation, and NAs not participating wanted to learn CCG. Nursing assistants have the potential to become experts in creative caregiving but may require in-depth training to improve use.

scholarly journals Attitudes Toward Sexual Behaviors in Long-Term Care: Development of an Assessment Tool

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 602-603
Author(s):  
Rachael Spalding ◽  
Emma Katz ◽  
Barry Edelstein
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Behaviors ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Care Development

Abstract Most older adults living in long-term care settings (LTCs) indicate that expressing their sexuality is important to them (Doll, 2013). Little is known about the general public’s attitudes towards sexual behaviors in LTCs. Attitudes of LTC residents’ family members are particularly important, as family members are most likely to visit residents and to care about their quality of life. Family members’ attitudes could in turn inform facility policies and management. We will present preliminary data from a series of qualitative interviews with community-dwelling adults regarding their attitudes. We will discuss how these data are being used to inform current work on a measure of attitudes toward sexual behavior in LTCs.

“They don't just disappear”: Acknowledging death in the long-term care setting

2012 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 241-247 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janine Maitland ◽  
Kevin Brazil ◽  
Bill James-Abra
Keyword(s):  
Long Term Care ◽  
Emotional Health ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Care Facility ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Long Term Care Facility ◽  
Qualitative Research Study ◽  
Staff Members

AbstractObjective:The purpose of this study was to describe the value of a formal room blessing ritual held within a long-term care facility, from the perspectives of staff, residents, and family members.Method:A qualitative research study involving interviews with staff, residents, and family members was conducted to examine the perceived value of a room blessing ritual.Results:Twenty-four room blessing attendees participated in the study (nine staff, eight residents, and seven family members). Attendees felt that the room blessing provided an opportunity to formally acknowledge the death of the resident and their grief; the majority felt that this was a positive experience and that it provided an element of closure. Staff members and residents expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to connect with family members of the deceased to express their condolences during the ritual. Participants also identified the inclusivity of the ritual (i.e., an open invitation to all staff, residents, and family members) as a positive aspect that served as a reminder that others shared in their grief. Staff members felt that blessing the room for the new resident was an important component of the ritual, helping to bridge the gap between mourning and welcoming a new person. Staff, residents, and family members felt that the room blessing positively reflected the mission and values of the facility. The most highly valued aspect of the ritual for all attendees was the sharing of stories about the deceased to celebrate that person's life.Significance of results:Long-term care facilities need to recognize that formal supports to manage the bereavement needs of staff and residents, such as a room blessing ritual, should be incorporated into their model for managing end-of-life care, given the relationship between the emotional health of staff and the quality of care provided for residents.

scholarly journals PERCEPTIONS OF LONG-TERM CARE RESIDENTS AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS ABOUT USING THE CONVERSATION STARTER KIT

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S157-S157
Author(s):  
Sharon Kaasalainen ◽  
Tamara Sussman
Keyword(s):  
Long Term Care ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Disease Trajectory ◽  
Lack Of Information ◽  
Difficult Conversations ◽  
Advance Care ◽  
Future Work ◽  
To Receive

Abstract The need for a palliative approach in long term care (LTC) is widely recognized. However, advance care planning (ACP) is still rare. The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of LTC residents and their families about using an ACP tool called The Conversation Starter Kit (CSK). This study utilized a mixed methods approach. Data was collected in four LTC homes in Ontario, Canada from 31 residents and family members during an interview after they had completed the CSK. Data was analyzed using thematic analysis and descriptive statistics. All participants read all sections but only 73% completed all sections of the toolkit. Participants spent an average of 36 minutes discussing it with their family members and/or LTC staff. Participants reported: a better understanding of ACP after using the tool (80%), that the tool helped clarify the available resources and/or choices (53%), and that they felt less apprehensive about ACP after using the tool (60%). Qualitative findings revealed many strengths (e.g., usefulness, ability to start difficult conversations, content and clarification), and weaknesses of the tool (e.g., redundant information, difficulty understanding the content and lack of information regarding medically assisted dying). Family members noted that the toolkit would have been helpful to receive earlier on in their family members’ disease trajectory, perhaps before being admitted into LTC. These study findings support the CSK for residents and family members to have ACP discussions in LTC. Future work is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of the tool with a larger sample.

scholarly journals Hospital to Home: Supporting the Transition From Hospital to Home for Older Adults

2021 ◽  
pp. 084456212110443
Author(s):  
Brittany Barber ◽  
Lori Weeks ◽  
Lexie Steeves-Dorey ◽  
Wendy McVeigh ◽  
Susan Stevens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Home Care ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Home Care Services ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Hospital To Home

Background An increasing proportion of older adults experience avoidable hospitalizations, and some are potentially entering long-term care homes earlier and often unnecessarily. Older adults often lack adequate support to transition from hospital to home, without access to appropriate health services when they are needed in the community and resources to live safely at home. Purpose This study collaborated with an existing enhanced home care program called Home Again in Nova Scotia, to identify factors that contribute to older adult patients being assessed as requiring long-term care when they could potentially return home with enhanced supports. Methods Using a case study design, this study examined in-depth experiences of multiple stakeholders, from December 2019 to February 2020, through analysis of nine interviews for three focal patient cases including older adult patients, their family or friend caregivers, and healthcare professionals. Results Findings indicate home care services for older adults are being sought too late, after hospital readmission, or a rapid decline in health status when family caregivers are already experiencing caregiver burnout. Limitations in home care services led to barriers preventing family caregivers from continuing to care for older adults at home. Conclusions This study contributes knowledge about gaps within home care and transitional care services, highlighting the importance of investing in additional home care services for rehabilitation and prevention of rapidly deteriorating health.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document