The Challenges of Older Workers Serving as Caretakers: The Perspectives of Occupational Trainers

• Main Authors: Chen-KaiChang, 張辰楷
• Other Authors: Ching-Li Yang
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2013
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/84189895394527169702

碩士 === 國立成功大學 === 老年學研究所 === 101 === PURPOSE: Older workers (45-64 year-olds) may have their challenges of motor, cognition and interaction skills which mismatch the needs of workload as caretakers. The study aimed to find out the challenge levels of older workers in serving as caretakers. The findings can help to propose some suggestions for occupational training in the future. METHODS: A questionnaire--“The Standard of Functional Capacity of Caretakers” was designed based on work capacity evaluation tools. A total of 251 respondents who were occupational trainers in southern Taiwan answered the questionnaire to identity the requirements of motor, cognition and interaction skills that a caretaker needs. We then compared the results of questionnaire with the age-specific norms of the related evaluation tools to estimate the competency proportions of older workers in motor, cognition and interaction skills if they are engaged in the work of caretakers. RESULTS: Firstly, in motor skills, the most challenge in caretaker for older workers were prolonged-standing and lifting-up-to-waist-level. However, the workers who had jobs with heavy physical demand before still could overcome the challenge. Secondly, caretakers were expected to have better cognitive skills than ordinary people, and older workers may have less competency in judgment and orientation for the job. Finally, caretaking job needed higher interaction skills and most of older workers can fulfill the requirement of the job. CONCLUSIONS: Older workers have greater degree of challenges in motor and cognitive skills when they are engaged in the work of caretakers. For the challenge of motor, we suggest that occupational training courses include enhancement of physical capacity and utilization of assistant device. For the challenges of cognitive skills, organizing tasks in advance could improve efficiency. In addition, making good use of older workers' advantages on interpersonal interaction may be an important strategy to enhance the performance of older workers serving as caretakers.