Abstract

Aim: Family caregivers provide care at home equivalent to that of nurses. They monitor patient's condition, recognize impending problems such as side effects of medication and change the dressings of patients. They provide a high level of skill at home, they are not prepared for care-giving and lack the knowledge and skills required to provide care. Nurses evaluate caregiver preparedness before patient's transition from acute care settings to other settings.

Method: Preparedness for Care giving scale created by Archbald, et.al in 1990 is a caregiver self rated instrument that consists of 8 items that asks caregivers how well prepared they are for care giving role providing physical care, emotional support, setting up of home support service and dealing with the stress of care giving. Responses are rated on a 5 point scale ranging from 0 (not at all prepared) to 4 (very well prepared). The higher the score, the more prepared the caregiver is, the lower the score the less prepared the caregiver is.

Results: Preparedness for Caregiver Scale was used by the Geriatric trained nurses in two geriatric units. The scale was used on 18 caregivers. Total score achievable is 32. Of the 18 caregivers assessed, 5 scored 30 to 32, meaning they were very well prepared for their care giving role. 6 scored 20 to 23 meaning they were quite well prepared for their care giving role. 4 scored 12 to 15, meaning they were not quite well prepared for their care giving role. 3 scored 4 to 8 meaning they were not at all prepared for their care giving role.

Conclusion: Preparedness for Care giving Scale is brief and easily self administered by the primary family caregiver. In addition to the 8 item responses caregivers can specify in writing areas in which they feel unprepared to provide care.

Author Details

Chua, Hui Chin, RN; Rajaram, Sujata, RN, MSN (Gerontology)

Sigma Membership

Non-member

Type

Presentation

Format Type

Text-based Document

Study Design/Type

N/A

Research Approach

N/A

Keywords:

Prepareness for Caregiving Scale, Family Caregivers, Nurses

Conference Name

23rd International Nursing Research Congress

Conference Host

Sigma Theta Tau International

Conference Location

Brisbane, Australia

Conference Year

2012

Rights Holder

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Proxy-submission

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The use of Preparedness for Care Giving Scale on family caregivers and it's outcome

Brisbane, Australia

Aim: Family caregivers provide care at home equivalent to that of nurses. They monitor patient's condition, recognize impending problems such as side effects of medication and change the dressings of patients. They provide a high level of skill at home, they are not prepared for care-giving and lack the knowledge and skills required to provide care. Nurses evaluate caregiver preparedness before patient's transition from acute care settings to other settings.

Method: Preparedness for Care giving scale created by Archbald, et.al in 1990 is a caregiver self rated instrument that consists of 8 items that asks caregivers how well prepared they are for care giving role providing physical care, emotional support, setting up of home support service and dealing with the stress of care giving. Responses are rated on a 5 point scale ranging from 0 (not at all prepared) to 4 (very well prepared). The higher the score, the more prepared the caregiver is, the lower the score the less prepared the caregiver is.

Results: Preparedness for Caregiver Scale was used by the Geriatric trained nurses in two geriatric units. The scale was used on 18 caregivers. Total score achievable is 32. Of the 18 caregivers assessed, 5 scored 30 to 32, meaning they were very well prepared for their care giving role. 6 scored 20 to 23 meaning they were quite well prepared for their care giving role. 4 scored 12 to 15, meaning they were not quite well prepared for their care giving role. 3 scored 4 to 8 meaning they were not at all prepared for their care giving role.

Conclusion: Preparedness for Care giving Scale is brief and easily self administered by the primary family caregiver. In addition to the 8 item responses caregivers can specify in writing areas in which they feel unprepared to provide care.