Abstract
Purpose: This study aimed to clarify the utility of the Life-trouble Scale-based care planning tool for elderly patients with dementia (Life-trouble Scale, viewpoints, and care points of the elderly with dementia suffering from life troubles) in order to develop an appropriate care plan and practices in a long-term care health facility.
Method: Participants were elderly patients with dementia who were evaluated by care staff using the abovementioned scale at baseline and after intervention (one month later) from September to December 2017. The patients were divided into an intervention group, which received care based on the Life-Trouble Inclusion Scale, and the control group, which received the usual care. The outcomes of these two groups were compared.
Results: The intervention and control groups comprised 14 and 12 elderly patients with dementia, respectively. More than 60% of the care staff worked with both groups. Scores on the agitation sub-scale of the NPI [please define abbreviation] and "life-trouble associated with irritation and confusion" sub-scale of the Life-Trouble Scale improved significantly in the intervention group. Among the care staff, self-efficacy related to caring for elderly patients with dementia and scores on the Emotional Exhaustion and Depersonalization sub-scales of the Japanese version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory improved significantly.
Conclusion: The present findings suggest that care intervention using the Life-trouble Scale-based care planning tool was beneficial for both elderly patients with dementia and their care staff.
