Abstract
The objective of this study was to examine role and process of care by caregivers to dependent older people in communities after the long term care (LTC) policy of the Universal Coverage Scheme was developed. This study used a purposive sampling method to select 20 caregivers who have looked after dependent older persons in communities for longer than one year. Research tools such as general information questionnaires, semi-structured interviews and voice recorders were used to collect qualitative data. The data were analyzed by content analysis. The findings illustrated that after LTC project was implemented, caregiver role and process of care to dependent elderly in communities have evidently changed. Obviously, the knowledge and practice skills of the caregivers, especially on activity of daily living (ADL) care, health issues, sanitation and environment management in the elderly’s home, have gained considerably through training. Team works, coaching and mentoring, and care buddy matching were explicitly formed, including a clear pattern of work namely a care plan. Details of elderly persons who need care, care goal planning or rehabilitation program and relevant information have been included in the care plan. Interestingly, ADL levels of dependent older persons under the guidance of care managers and multidisciplinary have been gradually improved or there was an appropriate aspect for each individual need. Caregivers have increasing important roles particularly being care assistants to dependent older people who have diseases required specific care. In order to be able to appropriately and sustainably providing care to dependent older people in the community, policies and measures to promote the advancement opportunities of caregivers and the continuous training for development of potential caregivers should be encouraged. Stimulating the proactive services enhancement of caregivers working together with multidisciplinary teams, motivating family members having the potential to provide care to elderly people having specific disease, and finally, the compensation and welfare policy should be appropriately promoted.
