Rathnayake, Sarath, Moyle, Wendy, Jones, Cindy, and Calleja, Pauline (2020) Family carers' needs related to management of functional disability and use of mHealth applications in dementia care: An online survey. Collegian, 27 (3). pp. 288-297.

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Abstract

Background

Family carers of people with dementia face different challenges in providing care for daily living activities of their care recipients. Today, mHealth applications are widely used in healthcare.

Aim

To examine the needs of family carers of people with dementia concerning the management of functional disability of their care recipients, carer burden and use of mHealth applications when seeking health information.

Methods

A total of 166 family carers, who were recruited through leading dementia support organisations in Australia, research institutes, and social media, completed an online survey. In data analysis, descriptive statistics, Pearson’s Chi-square test, Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal-Wallis H test were used.

Findings

People with dementia were dependent on family carers for complex activities (e.g. taking medication) (99.4%), domestic activities (e.g. washing clothes) (97%), and self-care (e.g. bathing) (79.5%). Family carers reported a moderate-to-high need for education in functional disability care (62.6%). Bathing was reported as the most difficult activity to perform (30.1%). Three-quarters of carers reported carer burden (74.1%). Most carers (98.8%) owned a smart-device, and 51.2% of family carers reported having an mHealth application. Educational needs for functional disability care were associated with age (highest among those between 36–65 years) and eHealth literacy of carers (greater among carers with adequate eHealth literacy). Carer burden was associated with stage of dementia (highest in advanced dementia) and experiencing chronic medical problems of care recipients. Possession of an mHealth application was associated with employment status (currently employed), adequate eHealth literacy and higher educational needs.

Conclusion

Providing functional disability care is one of the priority needs for education. These educational needs can potentially be provided via mHealth applications. Health professionals can use these findings to plan educational interventions to address family carers’ needs.

Item ID:	81754
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	1876-7575
Copyright Information:	© 2019 Australian College of Nursing Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Date Deposited:	26 Mar 2024 00:30
FoR Codes:	42 HEALTH SCIENCES > 4205 Nursing > 420502 Aged care nursing @ 100%
SEO Codes:	20 HEALTH > 2002 Evaluation of health and support services > 200203 Health education and promotion @ 100%
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