Daily Life of Home Care Clients in Their Living Environment

Analysis of Twelve Case Studies

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate how and where home care clients spend their time in the living environment. Of those getting health care services in K city, twelve subjects (66-87 years of age, averaging 75.2±6.2) were studied. Each respondent lived in an independent house with their family or spouse. The respondents were rated either A (semi-independent) or B (semi-bedridden). Using a loosely structured questionnaire, the researcher interviewed all twelve between October 1997 and February 1998. The findings are as follows :
1) The bedroom was mostly situated on the first floor close to the entrance door giving easy access for care-giver. The family and the client did not recognize it as important.
2) Ten subjects spent a long period of time in the bedroom on account of their weak ability of walk around as well as the lack of cozy space to spend time. Two factors, the health conditions and living environment, affected the client in a variety of ways : sleeping, eating, toileting and bathing conditions.
3) Most of the clients watched TV for hours during the day in their bedroom. In other words, they spent a long period of time in bed. Some of them wake up early in the morning and kept regular hours, while their family members went to work and the like.
The results suggest the need that the care-givers should advise the family as well as the client to secure a place or places for the client for spending time away from bed and keeping regular hours at an early stage of his or her home care life.