Effect of Education Programs for Caregivers with the Provision of the Elderly with Mental and Cognitive Impairments

Abstract

Abstract: Authors provided education programs for certified caregivers to cope with elderly care recipients' behaviors caused by mental and cognitive impairments. Thirty-three participants enrolled in all of the programs consisting of lectures and case studies about the features of mental and cognitive functions among elderly people. Authors administered self-rating questionnaires about “feeling care difficulties” three times as follows: before and after the basic training, and after the follow-up training. Authors used Friedman's Test and Bonferroni multiple comparison of analyses for levels of difficulties. The levels of items for ‘understanding mental symptoms and anxiety’, ‘communication skills’ and ‘dealt with life disabilities’ were reduced significantly. The participants could better deal with care recipients because they understood the factors causing their behaviors. However, authors should clearly teach how to deal with behaviors such as silence. Furthermore, medical staff with mental patients should actively collaborate with certified caregivers to deal with deviant behavior.