A COMPETENCY DEVELOPMENT MODEL FOR CAREGIVERS OF THE ELDERLY

Abstract

This research study aims to (1) examine a competency model of caregiver of the elderly; (2) investigate the current level of needs for competency of caregiver of the elderly; and (3) develop a competency model for caregivers of the elderly. This study employed the mixed-method research involving the quantitative and qualitative research methods. The research process comprised three stages. The first stage was the examination of competencies of caregiver of the elderly by reviewing related literature and conducting in-depth interviews of a group of caregivers of the elderly. The second stage was the investigation of the current level of and the needs for competencies of caregiver of the elderly and the study of a competency development model for caregivers of the elderly with the use of a questionnaire. The third stage was the evaluation of the competency development model for caregivers of the elderly by organizing a focus group discussion involving six experts to evaluate the appropriateness of the competency development model.
The research findings were as follows:
1. The examined competency model of caregiver of the elderly was composed of three components: The first component was the core competency component of caregiver of the elderly comprising 1.1 service-mindedness, 1.2 morality and ethics, 1.3 technical knowledge, 1.4 fair achievement motivation, 1.5 communications, 1.6 team working, and 1.7 creative thinking. The second component was the functional competency comprising 2.1 good attitude toward the elderly, 2.2 emotion and personality control, 2.3 health and safety promotion, 2.4 medical equipment maintenance, 2.5 work responsibility, and 2.6 ability to handle blood and body discharge. The third component was the managerial competency comprising 3.1 problem solving and decision making, 3.2 leadership, and 3.3 managerial ability.
2. The overall current competency of caregivers of the elderly was rated at the moderate level; while the needs for competency of caregivers of the elderly were at the high level.
3. The competency development model for caregivers of the elderly was created by taking the results of gaps evaluation of competency levels to formulate the individual development plan (IDP) to reduce the gaps and to formulate training plans in accordance with competency components. The competencies to be developed were the following: 1. The functional competency comprising 1.1 methods and techniques for handling blood and body discharge, 1.2 techniques for medical equipment maintenance, 1.3 functions and responsibility in caregiving to the elderly, 1.4 health and safety promotion for the elderly, and 1.5 emotion control and personality development for caregivers of the elderly, respectively. 2. The managerial competency comprising 2.1 leadership techniques and techniques for solving emergency problems, and 2.2 managerial techniques for caregiving to the elderly, respectively. 3. The core competency comprising 3.1 the creation of work teams and creativity in caregiving to the elderly, 3.2 technical knowledge concerning caregiving to the elderly, 3.3 techniques for fair achievement-oriented working and 3.4 techniques for communications in caregiving to the elderly, respectively.