Linking factors affecting older adults' ability to live at home to increased workload perceptions among staff at...

This study aimed to identify the events perceived by support staff as affecting older adults' ability to live at home. It also explored the factors contributing to the perceptions of increasing overtime requirements among staff members supporting these individuals.

An anonymous online survey was conducted among staff members at community general support centers nationwide. The survey examined the content of decision-making support provided to older adults living alone and the factors that led to the interruption of home-based living.

The most common events leading to interruption of home-based care were deteriorating health, emergency hospitalization, and reduced willingness to continue living at home. Factors associated with staff perceptions of increased overtime were greater anxiety about being responsible for supporting older adults living alone (odds ratio: 4.83, 95% confidence interval: 1.72-13.59, P=0.003) and the perception that being responsible for older adults living alone increases work outside regular duties (odds ratio: 22.0, 95% CI: 6.95-69.79, P<0.001).

As increased overtime may lead to higher turnover rates among staff, administrators should monitor staff anxiety about being assigned to older adults living alone and the increased workload involved, and take appropriate measures to address these issues.