Family Health Care Across the Life Course in Multigenerational Families: Older Adult Care and Competencies of Community Caregivers

Abstract

     This survey research aimed to: 1)Explore the context of health care and intergenerational living among members of multigenerational families with older adults in the community; and 2) investigate the essential competencies, related factors, and approaches for developing the competencies of caregivers of older adults in multigenerational families. In-depth interviews were conducted with 20 participants selected through purposive sampling. The participants included community leaders, registered nurses/public health personnel working in subdistrict health-promoting hospitals in the study area, and members of selected families demonstrating effective care of older adults. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews. The interview data were transcribed, verified for accuracy, and analyzed using content analysis.

     The findings revealed four major themes. 1) Multigenerational families consisted of children, working-age adults, and older adults living together, with communication, interaction, and shared household roles. Primary caregivers were commonly children or grandchildren of the older adults, or paid caregivers. 2) Caregiver competencies comprised knowledge, skills, and attitudes. These included knowledge of chronic diseases, nutrition, medication management, and the use of digital innovations to support caregiving; skills in transferring and mobilizing older adults, wound care, first aid, and stress management; as well as an understanding of the characteristics and needs of individuals across different generations. 3) Caregiving capacity was influenced by caregivers’ physical and mental health, stress resulting from the burden of caregiving and caregiver burnout, housing conditions, economic and financial constraints, available facilities, and support networks. 4) Caregiver development should be implemented through programs or training curricula that are compatible with local ways of life and integrated with community support networks.