International Journal of Nursing

Effectiveness of Home Caregivers Teaching Program on Prevention of Decubitus Ulcer in Bed Ridden Elderly Patients
Huda Mohammed Ali Alhammadi, Dr. Rekha Jaiprakash Ogale

Abstract
Background: The elderly people are more prone to get illnesses due to conditions related to their health status, advancing age and lower susceptibility. Aim: The purpose of this study was to identify the effectiveness of home caregivers teaching program on prevention of decubitus ulcers. Method: the study design was quasi-experimental pretest- posttest. The population comprised caregivers of the 160 patients from Ras Al Khaimah Medical Centre and Julphar Health Center. Sample of the study were 45 caregivers of elderly patients selected by convenience sampling. The caregivers were given teaching on care of bedridden elderly to prevent bedsores at home. Data was collected by using bedridden patient‟s observation checklist and pre and posttest to caregivers. Result: The study finding indicated that the caregivers were mostly hired Arabic speaking, illiterate females without any health issues. Majority of the elderly patients were on oral feeds, with incontinence problem and had diabetes, hypertension and cerebrovascular accident and sleeplessness problems. Pretest on knowledge of the home caregivers of elderly on prevention of decubitus ulcers revealed that the majority (74 %) of the home caregivers had poor (45%) and very poor (29%) knowledge. The posttest observations of elderly patients showed no signs of bedsores and the posttest scores of the caregivers showed that 100% of them had excellent (85 %), very good (13%) and good (2%) knowledge. The home care givers teaching program on prevention of decubitus ulcer in bed ridden elderly patients was highly significant (p=0.000).Conclusion: The findings of the study showed that the teaching to the caregivers on prevention of decubitus ulcers among elderly bed ridden patients was very effective. This was observed by patients not developing decubitus ulcers or any skin changes related to it.

Full Text: PDF     DOI: 10.15640/ijn.v7n2a8