THE INFLUENCE OF FAMILY INVOLVEMENT ON THE QUALITY OF CARE FOR AGED ADULTS: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Abstract

Background: The growing population of older adults worldwide necessitates the provision of high-quality elderly care. Family involvement is a crucial aspect of caregiving, impacting the physical and emotional well-being of the elderly. While previous studies have focused on family engagement in specific settings, there is a need for a comparative analysis of its role in home care, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities.

Methods: This research employed a mixed-methods approach, utilizing both quantitative surveys of family members and professional caregivers and qualitative, in-depth interviews. The quantitative data focused on the frequency of family involvement, participation in decision-making processes, and perceived outcomes of quality of care. These outcomes included measures such as physical health status and mental well-being of the elderly. Qualitative interviews delved into the lived experiences, cultural factors, and perceived benefits and barriers to family participation. The analysis aimed to compare findings across the three care settings, seeking to understand commonalities, differences, and context-specific dynamics.

Results: The results of the study reveal that family involvement significantly improves the quality of care, with marked positive effects on emotional support, patient advocacy, and adherence to care plans. The home care environment was found to offer the most significant benefits, attributed to the flexibility and direct collaboration between family members and caregivers. In institutional settings, however, family involvement shifted more towards shared decision-making rather than active care provision. Notable barriers include conflicting expectations between family members and professional caregivers, caregiver burden, and cultural differences in caregiving roles.

Conclusion: Family involvement emerges as a complex construct that positively impacts care quality when effectively integrated into service delivery. Tailored strategies are necessary to enhance the collaboration between family members and professional carers in various care contexts. Policies and training programs should focus on bridging communication gaps, managing expectations, and promoting culturally sensitive engagement to optimize care outcomes for older adults.