The Perceptions of Video Surveillance and Its Influence on Cargiver Stress in the Home Care Setting

The Perceptions of Video Surveillance and Its Influence on Caregiver Stress in the Home Care Setting by Asuncion Neri-Candelaria MSW, New York University, 1998 BA, City University of New York, 1995 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Human Services, Clinical Social Work Walden University May 2017 Abstract Given the stress involved in caring for elders, the propensity for abuse among the older adult population continues to be a problem, as the number of caregivers providing care in the home is increasing to meet the demand of an increasing population of older adults. One solution is to implement video surveillance in the home. The purpose of this phenomenological, retrospective and prospective study was to describe the perceptions and experiences of caregivers that affect stress in the home care setting and to describe participants’ perceptions about the impact of video surveillance in the home environment on caregiver stress and elder abuse. Using a lens of critical ecological framework and privacy theory, the research questions inquired about the specific experiences of stress and the perceptions of the use of home surveillance of caregivers in the home. A sample of 9 older adult home caregivers were recruited from the United Jewish Council of the East Side Home Attendant Service Corp. Findings revealed that increased family, community, and agency involvement and support may offset the feelings of isolation of the home care environment and ensure the caregiver is given opportunities to engage inGiven the stress involved in caring for elders, the propensity for abuse among the older adult population continues to be a problem, as the number of caregivers providing care in the home is increasing to meet the demand of an increasing population of older adults. One solution is to implement video surveillance in the home. The purpose of this phenomenological, retrospective and prospective study was to describe the perceptions and experiences of caregivers that affect stress in the home care setting and to describe participants’ perceptions about the impact of video surveillance in the home environment on caregiver stress and elder abuse. Using a lens of critical ecological framework and privacy theory, the research questions inquired about the specific experiences of stress and the perceptions of the use of home surveillance of caregivers in the home. A sample of 9 older adult home caregivers were recruited from the United Jewish Council of the East Side Home Attendant Service Corp. Findings revealed that increased family, community, and agency involvement and support may offset the feelings of isolation of the home care environment and ensure the caregiver is given opportunities to engage in strategies designed to help cope with the inherent stressors of the job. In addition, video camera surveillance in the home care setting may provide social support through observation of the situation in the home, supporting both social control on the behavior of the caregiver and direct evidence of quality of care for the caregiver. The findings of the study help to highlight effective intervention strategies based on the specific stressors and stress relievers identified, serving to reduce the potential for older adult abuse and neglect in the home care setting. The Perceptions of Video Surveillance and Its Influence on Caregiver Stress in the Home Care Setting by Asuncion Neri-Candelaria MSW, New York University, 1998 BA, City University of New York, 1995 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Human Services – Clinical Social Work