Classification of nurse and caregiver evaluation criteria for activity care in elderly people with dementia

Aim: This study aimed to classify evaluation criteria for activity care perceived by nurses and caregivers at long-term care insurance facilities to be important. Methods: We distributed questionnaires by mail to chief nurses and caregivers at all special nursing homes and elderly healthcare facilities in five prefectures in the Chugoku region and enrolled 657 subjects in the analysis. Answers were given on a five-point scale indicating the perceived degree of importance of the evaluation criteria. Multidimensional scaling combined with a cluster analysis was used to examine similarities. Results: Clusters were identified in the following categories: 1) comfort, 2) spontaneity, 3) elimination of tension and 4) interactions with others. Mean values were allocated to clusters in order of the highest category: cluster 1 (4.48), cluster 2 (4.23), cluster 3 (3.95) and cluster 4 (3.48). The two-dimensional model exhibited good relevance (RSQ of 0.948). For dimension 1, complexity, clusters representing simple-to-complex behavior were arranged based on the highest mean values. For dimension 2, openness, the mean values were high for clusters 1 and 2, which were close to the middle. In contrast, cluster 3, which was at the upper end, and cluster 4, which was below the middle, exhibited low values. Conclusions: A two-dimensional structure and four clusters that could not be understood based on conventional activity care classifications were identified, thereby clarifying future directions for evaluation criteria The subjective importance of evaluation criteria focused on the complexity of behavior and individual openness. Versatility, comprising visual comprehension and measurability, appeared to be used as a reference.