Authors (including presenting author) :
Yim KYE(1), Ho KWC(1), Cheng YSR(1), Wang PL(2)
Affiliation :
(1) Health Resource Centre, Ruttonjee and Tang Shiu Kin Hospitals (RTSKH), (2) St James’ Settlement Wan Chai District Elderly Community Centre
Introduction :
Medical Social Workers play a key role on providing psychosocial care to patients and supporting their caregivers to cope with caring stress. As a matter of fact, we have encountered some caregivers with dependent care recipients in hospital or at home are feeling exhausted and unprepared to meet the demand in daily care. Therefore, as to strengthen support to patients and their caregivers, “Give Caregiver a Break” project was organized in 18/19. A series of educational talks, workshops and support groups had been arranged through collaboration with St James’ Settlement Wan Chai District Elderly Community Centre (SJS), one of the key community partners in Wan Chai District.
Objectives :
1) Enrich caregivers and patients’ skills and knowledge on self-care management and plan for their life and death issues. 2) Strengthen caregivers’ competence and confidence on providing safe and effective care to the patient. 3) Empower family members to moderate their caregiver stress, improve their health, well-being and quality of life. 4) Link up caregivers and patients to community resources throughout caregiving process 5) Enhance caregivers’ better communication with health care professionals, the care recipient and their families.
Methodology :
1) To strengthen caregivers in physical, psychological, social and spiritual aspects, 3 educational talks, 8 self-care management groups, 4 workshops and a Life Book Production are organized for patients, caregivers and volunteers with the support from doctor, lawyer, physiotherapist, clinical psychologist, dietitian, social worker, aroma therapist and related professionals. 2) Some programs were held in SJS service building in which participants could learn more about the community services provided. 3) To increase caregivers’ motivation and reduce their care burden to join the program, parallel groups with activities arranged for patients were designed in some programs together with escorting services provided.
Result & Outcome :
- Total 393 caregivers, patients and volunteers served in the whole project. - Satisfactory survey was conducted and over 98% of participants satisfied the arrangement of the programs.
- For the Men’s mutual support group, “Pre-test” and “Post-test” of the Modified Carer Strain Index was conducted. Carer stress level among the participants in some areas including quality of sleeping, health and emotion condition and personal planning was reported reduced.
Co-location with:
