Self-Efficacy of Care Communities Completed the 50-Hour Training Curriculum for Elderly and Dependent Care

Abstract

The objectives of this research were to 1) examine the effectiveness of the 50-hour training curriculum for elderly and dependent care in improving perceived self-efficacy among care communities (CC) who attended the curriculum and 2) assess attitudes toward the curriculum and issues for further improvements. The samples were 200 CC’s attended the program. The questionnaire assessed participants' perceived self-efficacy in caring for the elderly and dependents. The data were analyzed using frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations.

The results showed that the samples were mostly females (94.0%), married (61.5%), completed higher education or equivalent (64.0%), and worked at subdistrict administrative organizations (81.5%). After receiving the training, the top 3 areas with highest perceived self-efficacy mean scores were 1) providing rehabilitation for the elderly and dependents (=3.24, SD=0.47), 2) building relationships (=3.23, SD=0.46), and 3) recording and referrals (=3.20, SD=0.46). Three areas with lowest perceived self-efficacy mean scores included 1) wound care (=2.94, SD=0.50), 2) caring for elderly with chronic illnesses (=3.05, SD=0.49), and 3) providing food specific to illness (=3.05, SD=0.54). CC reported that the training helped them develop their competencies at the highest level (=3.62, SD=0.53). In the future, their work should be improved in compensations, working conditions, relationships with the elderly, families, and their supervisors, and setting up centers to improve access to care for the elderly and dependents.