“It is all About Giving Priority to Older Adults’ Needs:” Challenges of Formal Caregivers in Two Old Age Homes in Ethiopia

Abstract

With a growing older population needing long-term care in Ethiopia, this study examined the challenges and needs of formal caregivers at two older adult homes. A qualitative, exploratory design was employed. Purposive sampling was used to identify 14 formal caregivers and 6 key informants who engaged in in-depth interviews. Formal caregivers assisted older adults with personal care, medication administration, and emotional support. As a result of high workloads, long work hours, an absence of training, and minimal compensation, caregivers faced many challenges including managing older adults’ difficult behavior, exposure to health hazards, and task burden. The all-encompassing demands of caring for older adults in resource-poor environments contributed to negative consequences that spilled over into caregivers’ personal lives. The capacity of formal caregivers to meet the needs of long term care residents in developing nations can be enhanced through training in geriatric care, adequate compensation, and best practice guidelines for long term care.