Effectiveness of Intervention by Coordinators to Network Formation Using Videophons among the Frail Elderly at Home

Abstract

We conducted 15 months trial of network formation among 14 frail elderly living at home through coordinators intervention and the use of videophones. The purpose of this trial was to support and improve the functional independence of the the frail elderly living at home who were out of use the long-term insurance system， and to widen the social network amongst them.

As the results， a network using videophones was helpful for the elderly in an improvement in functional independence and an increase in active communication for among them. A use of videophone as a support system in the day service contributed to improve the quality of the day service. We noted the following；（1）the important moment of coordinators intervention was one or two months after starting of the intervention；（2） to increase the coordinate function， it was necessary to understand well the situation of all subjects by coordinators；（3） Capacities as a care specialist in the coordinator worked on the home telecare service．