Authors (including presenting author) :
Ng YH(1), Lau CC(3), Chan NH(3), Kwan YK(3), Ko KL (2), Yiu D(2), Lam YM(2), Cheuk HKE(1), Au Yeung TW(3)
Affiliation :
(1) Community Services Centre, TMH
(2) Geriatric Day Hospital, TMH
(3) Medical and Geriatric Dept., TMH
Introduction :
Both patients of TMH Geriatric Day Hospital and their carers face various challenges in physical, emotion and social aspects during recovery process. Patients would arise emotional challenges such as frustration, sense of anxiety or depression in facing chronic illnesses and aging. Carers also face emotional and social challenges in the caring journey of family members with chronic illnesses, e.g. depressive symptoms, anxiety, stress, loss sense of control, etc… Their daily life and social activities are influenced and limited during the patient journey and carer’s journey. A psychoeducational group was conducted for patients of TMH Geriatric Day Hospital, and their carers so as to enhance their acceptance and adjustment in facing chronic illness and aging positively.
Objectives :
The psychoeducational group is aimed at facilitating TMH GDH patients and carers to accept their chronic illness and aging positively, to regain hope in later life and to improve their psychological well-being. With the referral system and self-approach, the psychoeducational group “ Be a Happy Elderly (耆樂融融) ” was conducted by CityU social worker placement student, under close supervision of CityU clinical supervisor and service coordinator of TMHCSC, for 9 patients and 3 carers from TMHGDH and Memory Clinic from 16.11.2017 to 21.12.2017 inclusively.
Methodology :
The six-session psychoeducational group was conducted for 6 patients (4 sessions) and 2 carers (2 sessions). All group members joined the combined sessions with GDH staff for the celebration X’mas party and reunion. The intervention approach of Hope Theory (希望理論), and Seven Ways of Being Happiness (快樂七式) of Positive Psychology (正向心理學) were adopted for group intervention. The same set of assessment tools were used for pre-group and post-group interview for assessment and evaluation purpose : Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and Adult Hope Scale (AHS) for patient and Caregiver Strain Scale for carers. All collected data were analyzed.
Result & Outcome :
6 patients, aged over 65 and with comorbid chronic illnesses and 2 carers completed all assessment tools. For patients, the level of depression was obviously decreased. The GDS of 3 patients was decreased from 6 to 3, 9 to 2 and 6 to 3 accordingly. For AHS, the total score of all members in agency was decreased from 85 to 91 while score of pathway was dropped from 91 to 74. All patients showed better acceptance and more positive coping with chronic illness and aging. There was hope for their future life in patient journey. More importantly, they mentioned that people who supported and listened to them were significant for them to cope with adversity induced by chronic illness and aging. However, patients could not find out means in achieving their happiness in life. Patient empowerment programs/patient group activities are suggested to foster patients’ identifying means of achieving for happiness life and enhancing bonding among group members, mutual understanding and support.
Co-location with:
