Care Managers’ Approaches to Support Elderly Residents with Alcohol-related Problems and Their Families

Abstract

Objective: We aim to clarify care managers’ recognition of alcohol-related problems and approaches to support elderly residents with such problems and their families.

Methods: Interview data with 24 care managers were analyzed using a qualitative integrative approach (the KJ method).

Results: The care managers realized [lack of learning opportunities about alcohol-related problems and difficulty in supporting the elderly in communities overlooking such problems] and [difficulty in understanding families’ wavering emotions and self-insufficiency for not being able to provide proper support]. With [the attitude of determining appropriate timings for intervention and promoting awareness among elderly residents facing alcohol-related problems, while respecting their emotions], the care managers adopted various approaches, such as [providing family support utilizing care services and making environmental arrangements to prevent drinking]. In such a situation, the care managers desired [earnest guidance by physicians, not specializing in these problems, and collaboration with specialists] and [peer groups where elderly residents/families can study alcohol-related problems].

Discussion: While realizing that they lacked sufficient knowledge of alcohol-related problems among elderly residents, the care managers supported them and their families by utilizing care services to resolve these problems, and through collaboration with doctors and peer groups.