THE EFFICIENCY OF SUPPORTING THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF FAMILY CAREGIVERS ACCORDING TO THE FAMILY CAREGIVERS OF PERSONS WITH DEMENTIA WHO ARE MEMBERS OF THE MEMORY ASSOCIATION OF PÄIJÄT-HÄME
Kurvinen, Annetta (2014)
Kurvinen, Annetta
Kymenlaakson ammattikorkeakoulu
2014
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2014081913512
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2014081913512
Tiivistelmä
In the area of Päijät-Häme live many persons with dementia with their family caregivers. A diagnosis of dementia has an impact not only on the quality of life of the person with dementia, but also on the family caregivers.
This study was commissioned by the Memory Association of Päijät-Häme. The purpose of this study was to get additional information about how the Memory Association of Päijät-Häme could more efficiently support family caregivers as well as the person with dementia and there for improve their quality of life.
The study was carried out using quantitative, semi-structured questionnaires. The basic study population consisted of 183 family caregivers who are members of the Memory Association of Päijät-Häme. The response percentage was 42%. The results of the study were analyzed using SPSS. Content analysis was applied to the open-ended questions.
The results of the study indicate that family caregivers are interested in the activities that the Memory Association of Päijät-Häme offers. Time limits prevent family members from availing of and short participation in activities. Not all family caregivers interviewed received the services of the Memory association of Päijät-Häme. The opportunity to avail oneself of some of the services is influenced by where the person with the memory disorder lived, or the travelling time involved. It is necessary for the Memory Association around the Päijät-Häme to look at itself and by making changes made to when and where activities were provided the activities of the Memory Association around the Päijät-Häme area, such as activities in evening, facilitating activities nearer to the person’s home, or indeed in the family home. In this way the association supports also a better quality of life of persons with dementia and their family caregivers.
This study was commissioned by the Memory Association of Päijät-Häme. The purpose of this study was to get additional information about how the Memory Association of Päijät-Häme could more efficiently support family caregivers as well as the person with dementia and there for improve their quality of life.
The study was carried out using quantitative, semi-structured questionnaires. The basic study population consisted of 183 family caregivers who are members of the Memory Association of Päijät-Häme. The response percentage was 42%. The results of the study were analyzed using SPSS. Content analysis was applied to the open-ended questions.
The results of the study indicate that family caregivers are interested in the activities that the Memory Association of Päijät-Häme offers. Time limits prevent family members from availing of and short participation in activities. Not all family caregivers interviewed received the services of the Memory association of Päijät-Häme. The opportunity to avail oneself of some of the services is influenced by where the person with the memory disorder lived, or the travelling time involved. It is necessary for the Memory Association around the Päijät-Häme to look at itself and by making changes made to when and where activities were provided the activities of the Memory Association around the Päijät-Häme area, such as activities in evening, facilitating activities nearer to the person’s home, or indeed in the family home. In this way the association supports also a better quality of life of persons with dementia and their family caregivers.