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Elderly Caregiving Quality Improvement: A Pilot Study of the Burdens of Vietnamese Caregivers in Taiwan

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  • Chang-Yu Wu

    (DOAE, National Taichung University of Science and Technology, No. 129 San-Ming Rd., Taichung 40401, Taiwan)

  • Yu-Ying Li

    (Department of Nursing, National Taichung University of Science and Technology, No. 129 San-Ming Rd., Taichung 40401, Taiwan)

  • Maurice J. Lyver

    (DOAE, National Taichung University of Science and Technology, No. 129 San-Ming Rd., Taichung 40401, Taiwan)

Abstract

Taiwan is expected to reach super-aged status by 2026, leading to an increased demand for elderly caregiving services. Low local unemployment and a dwindling working-age population mean the island’s care system relies heavily on female foreign domestic workers (FDWs) from Southeast Asian neighbors such as Vietnam to satisfy labor shortages. Although suggested by anecdotal evidence, limited research has been conducted on the link between the shortfall in FDW qualifications, training, preparedness, and expertise and their employment stressors. Therefore, this study aims to assist FDWs by evaluating their stressors and helping them better understand health care delivery by (1) administering the Modified Caregiver Strain Index (MCSI) revised 2003 questionnaire, (2) performing semi-structured in-depth one-on-one interviews, (3) classifying interview results according to thematic analysis, and (4) using these themes to devise and deliver a 12-week multilingual health education teach-back program. Our results indicate that Vietnamese FDWs face specific challenges, including language barriers, homesickness, intensive physical and psychological work demands, stress adaptation, and occupational exposures. Despite yielding no significant improvements in caregiving strain, our intervention, conducted at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, pinpoints and classifies areas of grave concern and proposes recommendations that can assist long-term care (LTC) stakeholders in understanding and overcoming their respective challenges, thereby improving the quality of elderly care.

Suggested Citation

  • Chang-Yu Wu & Yu-Ying Li & Maurice J. Lyver, 2022. "Elderly Caregiving Quality Improvement: A Pilot Study of the Burdens of Vietnamese Caregivers in Taiwan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-20, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:10:p:6293-:d:821311
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Megan Thornton & Shirley S. Travis, 2003. "Analysis of the Reliability of the Modified Caregiver Strain Index," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 58(2), pages 127-132.
    2. Stroka, Magdalena A., 2014. "The Mental and Physical Burden of Caregiving - Evidence from Administrative Data," Ruhr Economic Papers 474, RWI - Leibniz-Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung, Ruhr-University Bochum, TU Dortmund University, University of Duisburg-Essen.
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