Effectiveness of home care intervention on family ability to do caregiving at home and increase the independence among elderly with dementia

BACKGROUND: Dementia had effect on the dependence status of the elderly. Living in family can increase independence among elderly. The purpose of the study was to determine the effectiveness of home care intervention on the family’s ability to conduct caregiving at home as well as the independence of the elderly with dementia. Also, to determine the effect of family ability to conduct caregiving at home on the independence of the elderly with dementia. DESIGN AND METHODS: This study used quasi-experimental with cross-sectional design. The sample size was 40 respondents into two groups and it was selected using simple random technique. Data were collected from January to June 2021. The intervention group received home care intervention, and the control group did not receive any treatment. The outcome was measured using questionnaire and analyzed using paired t-test and linear regression test. RESULTS: This study showed that home care intervention is effective in improving the family’s ability to do home care (p value <0.05) as well as the independence of the elderly with dementia (p value <0.05). In addition, the ability of family to conduct caregiving at home had effect on the independence of the elderly with dementia (p value <0.05). CONCLUSION: The home care intervention was effective in improving family ability and independence of elderly with dementia. This intervention was developed based on caregiver empowerment. It can be the guideline of family to conduct home care.