Experiences and perception of caregivers on home care service for community-dwelling elderly: a qualitative study / 中华全科医师杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To survey the experiences and perception of caregivers on home care service for community-dwelling elderly.Methods:From August to December 2021, individual semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with caregivers of the elderly from five community health centers in Beijing Xicheng and Miyun districts selected by purposive sampling.Results:Nine caregivers,2 males and 7 females aged 49-76 (62.8±9.4) years were interviewed in this study. The nursing care period was 3-48 (17±13) years. Four themes were extracted from the interview data older people′s own condition was the primary factor influencing the home care needs; medical needs for home care were determined by the caregivers′ factors; community health service was important for meet home medical needs; and supporting of home care services for the elderly need to be strengthened.Conclusion:The experience of elderly home caregivers in using community home medical services is affected by many factors, and in the future, the content of home medical services should be improved, and the skills training of community elderly home caregivers should be strengthened, so as to improve the quality of life at home and promote the health literacy of the elderly.