Chanayus Kumsom

The number of dependent older adults in Thailand is increasing leading to the long term care system for dependent older adults by community caregivers. This descriptive research aimed to study the caring practices of caregivers for dependent older adults in the long term care system and its influencing factors in Roi Et province. One hundred eighty caregivers of dependent older adult were randomly selected from 23 pilot areas of Roi Et province. Demographic information and study variables were gathered by interview questionnaires developed by applying the McLeroy’s ecological framework. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, Eta, Pearson’s product-moment correlation coefficient, and Stepwise Multiple Regression.

            The results revealed that most of the caregivers for dependent older adults in Roi Et province performed caring practices at a good level (98.33%). Considering each dimension, it was revealed  that the highest performing  was accidental prevention practice (gif.latex?\tilde{x}= 9.03, S.D. = 0.85). The lowest performing was mental health caring practice (gif.latex?\tilde{x}= 7.97, S.D. = 1.37). Factors that significantly influenced the caring practice of caregivers for dependent older adults were support from family, occupation as agriculture, recognition from community, female, supervision from case manager, knowledge and attitude toward caring for dependent older adults. All these factors could explain the variation of caring practices for dependent older adults by 64.8% (R2 = .648, p <.001).

            The findings suggested that case managers or nurses responsible in the long term care system should consider and apply these influencing factors for building the capacity of caregivers to maintain care for dependent older adults effectively.