You clapped, you cheered, but did anybody hear? A mixed-methods systematic review of dementia homecare workers' training and psychosocial needs

Home Health Care Serv Q. 2023 Oct 2;42(4):282-310. doi: 10.1080/01621424.2023.2246415. Epub 2023 Aug 16.

Abstract

The homecare sector's high turnover rate is linked to poor working conditions and a lack of person-centered practice. Limited research exists on the training and psychosocial needs of homecare workers caring for people living with dementia (PLWD). This systematic review explored these needs and identified 285 studies, of which seven studies met the inclusion criteria. A narrative synthesis identified four themes: "training and education challenges and facilitators;" "social isolation and the importance of peer support;" "emotional attachments and distress experienced by homecare workers;" and "working with families and its emotional impact on homecare workers." This review highlights the unmet educational and psychosocial needs of homecare workers and the negative impacts these unmet needs have. To improve person-centered practice in homecare, workers require dementia-specific training, and concurrent emotional and peer support, alongside support managing relationships with clients' families. Future research is required to implement an intervention to meet these needs.

Keywords: Dementia; homecare workers; person-centered care; systematic review.

Publication types

  • Systematic Review
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Dementia* / psychology
  • Dementia* / therapy
  • Home Care Services*
  • Humans