Authors (including presenting author) :
Liu YT, Ip WM, Choy PC, Chan YY, Mak HT, Cheng CM, Lau M, Yue SY
Affiliation :
Department of Occupational Therapy, Shatin Hospital
Introduction :
Under COVID-19 pandemic, individual carer training and group carer empowerment program (CEP) was affected or even suspended due to various social distancing measures and infectious control concern. However, no doubt that carer empowerment is extremely important in reducing caregiver burden and facilitating a successful care transition from hospital to home. Therefore, few enhancements have been done to meet the huge caregivers’ need
Objectives :
(1) To develop tele-package for carer empowerment
(2) To enhance delivery of the tele-package
(3) To increase caregiver’s readiness and confidence, thus reduce their caregiving burden and meet service needs
Methodology :
(1) Contents of CEP were rearranged. All educational components were converted into tele-information, i.e. e-pamphlets and educational videos
(2) All tele-information was organized and a Tele-archive was developed to facilitate OT colleagues to provide carer training to caregivers
(3) PDF with tele-information was developed to facilitate the delivery of educational materials to caregivers
Result & Outcome :
(1) Tele-archive with total 72 tele-information were developed
(2) Number of carer training increased from 40 per month at the beginning of pandemic to over 100 attendances per month after the tele-archive was developed in 2020
(3) With the further enhancement of the tele-information packages, the numbers of carer training attendance further increased to around 180 per month in 2021
(4) Most caregivers showed positive feedback and appreciation towards newly developed tele-information
