The Impact of a Telenovela Intervention on Use of Home Health Care Services and Mexican American Older Adult and Caregiver Outcomes

• Published in: Research in gerontological nursing 2015-03, Vol.8 (2), p.62-76
• Main Authors: Crist, Janice D, Pasvogel, Alice, Hepworth, Joseph T, Koerner, Kari M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Adults; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Caregivers; Caregivers - education; Costs; Educational Measurement; Female; Hispanic Americans; Home Care Services - utilization; Home health care; Humans; Intervention; Male; Medicare; Mexican Americans - education; Middle Aged; Nursing; Nursing homes; Older people; Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act 2010-US; Socioeconomic Factors; Television; United States; Variables
• ISSN: 1940-4921; 1938-2464
• DOI: 10.3928/19404921-20150105-02

A two-group randomized controlled trial tested a telenovela intervention (i.e., a culturally congruent videotaped dramatization with guided dialogue) to increase Mexican American older adults’ and family caregivers’ awareness of and confidence in home health care services (HHCS), thereby increasing use of HHCS and improving older adult and caregiver outcomes. Both groups had significant increases in awareness of and confidence in HHCS. The intervention group used HHCS more than the control group (91.1% versus 71.2% of total visits authorized); however, this was not a statistically significant difference (A two-group randomized controlled trial tested a telenovela intervention (i.e., a culturally congruent videotaped dramatization with guided dialogue) to increase Mexican American older adults’ and family caregivers’ awareness of and confidence in home health care services (HHCS), thereby increasing use of HHCS and improving older adult and caregiver outcomes. Both groups had significant increases in awareness of and confidence in HHCS. The intervention group used HHCS more than the control group (91.1% versus 71.2% of total visits authorized); however, this was not a statistically significant difference ( p = 0.18). Use of HHCS was associated with increased older adult and caregiver mutuality (i.e., the quality of the older adult–caregiver relationship) and decreased caregiving burden and depression. The predictive role and measurement of awareness and ways to improve the intervention are discussed. Findings are especially important with today’s focus on transitional care to keep older adults at home and prevent unnecessary readmissions. [Res Gerontol Nurs. 2015; 8(2):62–76.]