The effect of homemaking services on established measures of perceived well-being in community-dwelling elderly : an exploratory descriptive study

• Main Author: Reilly, Eileen Dianne Dougall
• Language: English
• Published: 2008
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2429/1774

This exploratory study examines of the effects of homemaking services on established measures of perceived well-being in community-dwelling seniors who have been assessed by Case Managers as qualifying for homemaking services. A hypothesis regarding the effects of homemaking on perceived well-being was developed and tested on an availability sample of elderly clients over 65 years of age who were cognitively competent. Face-to-face interviews using Reker and Wong's 1984 Revised Perceived Well-Being Scale were conducted on 28 subjects before homemaking was provided. Six homemaking visits later a follow-up interview using the same PWB scale and a qualitative questionnaire were conducted to investigate subjects' opinions of the homemaking service. It was anticipated the results might reflect the importance of emotional and social support factors as well as the physical support elements of homemaking services on the perceived well-being of subjects. Quantitative data was analyzed for changes in measures of perceived psychological, physical and general well-being of clients. Qualitative data was analyzed for themes associated with changes in well-being measures as a result of the service. Descriptive data reveal the average age, gender, culture, education, income, and chronic illness of the sample. Research suggests a strong correlation between perceived well-being and health status. If well-being and perceived client health are improved by homemaking services, there could be important implications for the distribution of health-care services for our elderly. Data may also suggest a range of options for Continuing Care and improved measures for evaluating the effectiveness of other health-care programs.