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Carers as equal partners in care planning
1Leicestershire Mental Health Service NHS Trust, Towers Hospital, Humberstone, Leicester, UK.
Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing
|December 31, 1997
Summary
Carers of dementia patients using designed documentation at home reported feeling more empowered and valued. However, the study identified design flaws and a need for education to optimize the use of these carer-held records.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Health Informatics
- Patient Care Management
Background:
- Dementia caregiving presents significant challenges for family members.
- Effective communication and record-keeping are crucial for coordinated dementia care.
- Carer-held records aim to empower caregivers and improve information sharing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To pilot a carer-held record system for dementia patients.
- To evaluate caregiver satisfaction and document usability.
- To assess the role of carers as partners in care planning.
Main Methods:
- A 6-month pilot study involving 20 dementia patient carers.
- Utilized quantitative and qualitative data collection via questionnaires.
- Assessed caregiver satisfaction, document use, design suitability, and partnership roles.
Main Results:
- Carers reported significant benefits, feeling more empowered and valued.
- Identified design faults in the documentation requiring improvement.
- Highlighted the need for preparatory and ongoing education for all parties.
Conclusions:
- Carer-held records show promise in enhancing caregiver experience and partnership.
- Document design and user education are critical for successful implementation.
- A longitudinal study is planned to quantitatively measure health outcomes.