Challenges Faced by Older Adults With Cognitive Impairment and Their Caregivers in a Care Home

Abstract

This study examined the challenges faced by older adults with cognitive impairment and their caregivers in Kumasi Cheshire Home (Ghana). In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 50 older adults with cognitive impairment and 9 professionals (caregivers). The findings of the study indicated that older adults in care homes are likely to face social inclusion difficulties, and institutional abuse in the form of being forced to eat or go to bed at a particular time, and medication difficulties since it takes quite a long time for the drugs to arrive in the care home. It also found out that the challenges professionals (caregivers) face include: financial difficulties, extreme pressure at work, among others. Lastly, it was again revealed that caregivers in the care home used spirituality as a coping strategy. Recommendations were made to assist in future research in the area and provide a strategic plan to improve the condition of adult healthcare for individuals with cognitive impairment