Behavioral activation for live-in migrant home care workers and care recipients in Israel: a pilot study

Amber M. Gum, Ohad Green, Ayelet Dassa, Keren Klausner, Ateret Gewirtz-Meydan, Liat Ayalon

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

In a growing global trend, individuals are migrating to other countries to live with and care for older adults with dementia. Although this trend addresses the geriatric workforce shortage, workers and older adults often experience distress. In a pilot study in Israel, six migrant care workers participated in a six-week group intervention in which they learned to increase valued, enjoyable activities for themselves and the older adult with whom they lived (behavioral activation). After the intervention, workers reported that they increased activities for themselves and the older adult and were satisfied, and quality of life and sense of achievement showed medium and large effect sizes, respectively. Participants suggested adapting the intervention to an online format for greater access. Although findings are tentative, the study points to promising strategies for migrant home care workers: focusing on the worker and older adult and offering online interventions.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)219-235
Number of pages17
JournalHome Health Care Services Quarterly
Volume41
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 2022

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 Taylor & Francis.

Keywords

  • Behavior
  • behavioral activation
  • caregiving
  • dementia
  • mental health therapy
  • migrant workers

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health Policy
  • Community and Home Care
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Behavioral activation for live-in migrant home care workers and care recipients in Israel: a pilot study'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this