Abstract
Purpose: This study aimed to explore the level of importance perceived by caregivers of elderly on the education of long term care nursing assistants (LTCNAs) taking care of elders with dementia or stroke. Method: Data was collected from 296 participants (112 families, 98 NAs, and 86 RNs) from October 2006 to February 2007. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Result: The item of 'attitude while caring for the aged' was identified as most important. The family group reported that 'position change' and 'understanding of geriatric diseases' were the most important for education, while LTCNAs, highly identified, 'bathing', and 'bed sheet change'. The RNs group regarded 'position change', and 'bathing' as most important. Institutions demanding LTCNAs' activities were special facilities for elderly care and special hospitals for the aged, and the need was also high in families with an elder incapacitated by illness. Conclusion: Nurses need to take an interest in education for enhancing the quality of LTCNAs and thus advance the quality of nursing care as well as the quality of life for the aged.
