Ideal Care-prevention Activities that Support the Employment of Older Adults Requiring Assistance

Abstract

  We aimed to reveal ideal care-prevention activities that support the employment of older adults requiring assistance based on their caregivers' views and perspectives on support in the settings of “care prevention” and “employment”. We also aimed to provide suggestions for nurses when they are involved in employment support. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 27 caregivers for 15 older adults requiring assistance, and the interview contents were analyzed qualitatively and descriptively. Ideal care prevention activities indicated in their views were [everybody has strengths and can be healthy, find purpose in life, and be employable by being helpful to others], [valuing older adults’ role and right to choose and establishing relationships with care recipients with an attitude of learning together while having fun], and [helping each other to continue living in the community]. Activities indicated in their perspectives on support were [converting older adults from community resources to employable resources], [utilizing contributions from families and involved individuals and mutually relying on each other], [preparing the environment to facilitate employment of older adults while maintaining connections with the community], and [helping older adults not give up on returning to work and reconnecting with society].To establish caring relationships with older adults requiring assistance that support their employment, the following are suggested: it is necessary to listen to and learn from individual older adults about their values on employment and way of life and thereby to strive to understand their residual social function, while remaining aware of influence of the time background and local culture.