Differences between foreign care workers and family caregivers in risk of hospitalization and mortality among home care elders in Taiwan
Journal
Taiwan Journal of Public Health
Journal Volume
35
Journal Issue
3
Pages
304-315
Date Issued
2016
Author(s)
Abstract
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the quality of home care provided to older adults in Taiwan whose caregivers were either family members or foreign care workers. Methods: Data from July 2003 to May 2015 was retrieved from the records of a home care agency in new Taipei city. A total of 273 older adults were included for analysis. Cox proportional hazards and recurrent event models were applied to compare the risk of mortality and hospitalization for disabled older adults with caregivers who were foreign workers or family members; in addition, the effects of gender and family roles were determined. Results: Older adults who were taken care of by female family members (HR = 0.715), such as a daughter or daughter-in-law (HR = 0.653), had a significantly lower risk of hospitalization than older adults who were taken care of by foreign care workers. Older adults who were taken care of by their children during early episodes of disability also had lower rates of hospitalization compared to older adults who were taken care of by foreign care workers (HR = 0.552). The differences between these two caregiver roles (children vs. foreign care workers) were not significant when the duration of care lasted > 1.1 years. Conclusions: The study findings showed that family caregivers provided better care to older adults than foreign care workers. The government should re-evaluate the open-door policy for foreign care workers and provide more long-term care resources and support for family caregivers who are willing to take care of disabled older relatives.
SDGs
Publisher
Chinese Public Health Association of Taiwan
Type
journal article