Quality of Life in the Dementia Elderly Group Home From the Elderlys’Perspective-An Example of Tianmu Group Home

• Main Authors: Chien, Yuen-Er, 簡月娥
• Other Authors: 李孟芬
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2010
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/55354970735826254058

碩士 === 實踐大學 === 家庭研究與兒童發展學系碩士班 === 98 === The purpose of the study was to explore the quality of life for the care and contents in the dementia elderly group home from the user-based perspective. The research site is the pilot one of the dementia elderly group home in Taiwan. The multiple qualitative research methods were applied, including in-depth interview with the participants and professional providers in the group home, participating observations on the participants, and participants’ profile review. The qualification of the respondents were included that their length of stay in the group home should be more than three months and they have effective communication ability. Finally, seven participants were selected. Their average length of stay in the group home was 15.8 months, and the CDR scores of the latest six-month were ranged from one to three. The findings of the research are shown that the major determinants for the participants selecting the group home are individualized space with natural and community-based environment. In the innovative concept of care and supportive environment, the participants have more active relationships with others and maintain more stable emotional status. The majority of participants stated that although their memories deteriorated, but which did not affect their daily life. Moreover, financial management were not the major consideration in their current daily life. In the group home, daily life care improved their quality of life, physical conditions, willingness of participating activities, satisfaction on meals and stable quality of sleep. The group home applied the concept of home-like environment and services, and used the supportive strategy for the participants which significantly improved their mental and interpersonal behaviors. While the elderly stayed at the group home after one and half years on average, their cognitive score of MMSE did not significantly improved, but their ability of IADL were progressed. The study recommends that the selection and planning of the environment, the implementation of service concepts, and the training of caregiver are the key factors of service effectiveness. Government departments should set up the consultant committee to assist the acquisition of qualified buildings and to supervise the quality of services. Future research can clarify the index and contents for the quality of life and the quality of care in the dementia elderly group home from the perspective of the professionals and their families.