Factors that influence certified care workers’ views on terminal care in nursing homes

Abstract

[Objective]To examine the factors that influences the views on terminal care among certified care workers in nursing homes. [Method]A total of 151 certified care workers (response rate: 56.3%) participated in questionnaire surveys (Frommelt attitudes toward care of the dying scale (FATCOD-B-J) and the Death Attitude Inventory (DAI)). Multiple regression analysis was conducted using the FATCOD-B-J total score as the objective variable and respondents’ age, gender, family care experience, years of care work experience, and DAI (Ⅰ Afterlife belief, Ⅳ Death avoidance, Ⅴ Life purpose) as the explanatory variables. [Results]Factors affecting certified care workers’views on terminal care are experiences of terminal care for their own family members, years of care work experience, and higher scores in the “afterlife belief” of DAI. [Conclusion]This research showed that, in addition to family care experience and years of care work experience, individual feelings and values influenced certified care workers’ views on terminal care. Therefore, education and training on terminal care should incorporate learning that deepens certified care workers’ values on death and life.