노인 돌봄과 가족자원에 관한 질적 연구

A Qualitative Study on Care Resources for Family Caregivers‘ of the Elderly

With our increasing older population, care issues are growing in importance. In Korea, the NLTCI (National Long Term Care Insurance for the Elders) policy for elders was set up to expand social services for elders. However, the role of family caregivers in elderly care remains the most important resource for older adults. Data were collected from 11 cases representing the different situations of family caregivers who visited a welfare medical devices center between March 2 and April 30, 2015. Six cases were of elders in facilities or hospital who were continually supported by family caregivers; the other 5 cases were of elders being cared for at home. Six of the caregivers were female, and 5 were male; and they cared of their parents and/or spouse. Their ages were from 46 years to 78 years. The result of this study showed best ways of caring, difficult factors in caring, and different coping strategies used by family caregivers. Findings also offer suggestions to improve the NLTCI and to expand training programs and coping strategies and resources for family caregivers. Even though family stories revealed many hardships, stories also showed how family is continually connected through affection and obligation. More information and support can help empower family caregivers and assure good quality of services by family caregivers as our informal elder care system. Our society must prepare policies to support family caregivers and provide life coaching in elderly care.