1Division of Health Science, Baekseok University, Korea
2Department of Social Welfare, Yeonsung University, Korea
3 Department of Nursing, Baekseok Culture University, Korea
*Corresponding Author: Hyun-Gyung Kim, E-mai: hgkim@bscu.ac.kr
Online published on 27 March, 2020.
This study aims to propose subject reforms to the NLE for care helpers by including ‘Support for Cognitively Stimulating Activities’ for long-term care dementia beneficiaries as added work detail.
This study was carried out from August 1, 2016 to August 31, 2017. Study methods first deduced the operational status and problems of the current National Licensing Exam for caregivers. Second, focus group interviews and work detail analyses were conducted on a group of caregivers regarding the newly added service. Third, reforms regarding the subjects of the NLE were developed through public hearings and expert consultations.
In July 2016, a system for long-term care institutions exclusively caring for dementia was introduced and the standard services of long-term care included ‘Cognitively Stimulating Activities (CTA)’ for home visited care among the standard services of long-term care. In doing so, ‘Support for Cognitively Stimulating Activities (SCTA)’ was added as a work detail for long-term care beneficiaries. Considering this, standard textbooks must be amended accordingly and additional content regarding the newly announced work detail of ‘CTA’ must be included in the curriculum.
Second, the results of analyzing the work detail regarding ‘SCTA’ upon surveying 245 caregivers uncovered implementation frequency, importance and acceptance-levels to be on average 3.22/5 points, 3.64/5 points and 2.32/3 points respectively. This reflects a positive level of ‘importance’ and ‘acceptance’ on the part of caregivers regarding the ‘SCTA’ work detail even under limiting circumstances whereby services are only being provided by caregivers who have completed professional training on dementia. In light of these findings, content on ‘SCTA’ must be included in the licensing examination for caregivers.
First, the standard curriculum for care helpers must be revised. Second, the common standard textbook should be amended. Third, the Welfare of Older Persons Act should be amended.
Health Personnel, Certification, Aged, Long-Term Care, Care
