title: Effectiveness of a day care program in supporting patients on peritoneal dialysis and their caregivers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Physical inactivity and social isolation are major problems faced by peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. Respite care is also an unmet need for their caregivers. The study aimed to evaluate the benefits of day care service for PD patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Khoo Teck Puat Hospital collaborated with St Luke's Eldercare (SLEC) to provide day care services for PD patients. The day care provided assistance with two PD exchanges and activities for patients to maintain health and improve social interaction. Outcome indicators included: (1) enrollment status, length of stay and peritonitis rate; (2) quality of life and mental status evaluations on patients and caregivers with the 12-item Short-Form Health Survey, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and Zarit Burden Interview Short-Form 12; and (3) qualitative data collected via interviews with patients, caregivers, healthcare providers and SLEC staff.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty-four patients were referred, and 16 eventually participated. Mean age of participants was 67.2 (range 54-85) years. For patients who stayed >1 month (n = 9), length of stay was 205.0 days (58-428) and frequency of attendance was 2.9 (0.6-4.8) times/week. There were no peritonitis episodes while patients were in the program. Mental improvement was noticed for most patients and caregivers, but physical improvement was less obvious. Caregivers also felt less burden.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Day care service is effective in alleviating the burden of caregivers and beneficial to patients with relatively good functional status. However, persuading patients and their caregivers to take up the program was a challenge.
authors.affiliation: Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, 90 Yishun Central, Singapore, 768828, Singapore.
authors.forename: Zhen Li
authors.initials: ZL
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, 90 Yishun Central, Singapore, 768828, Singapore. yingseow@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Ying-Ying
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Seow
authors.affiliation: Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, 90 Yishun Central, Singapore, 768828, Singapore.
authors.forename: Pei Shing
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Seow
authors.affiliation: Saint Luke's Eldercare Centres, Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: Ban Leong Kenny
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Tan
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003631:Day Care, Medical / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010530:Peritoneal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000209:etiology; D010564:Personnel, Hospital / Q000193:education / Q000592:standards; D011788:Quality of Life; D012144:Respite Care / Q000523:psychology*; D012944:Social Support
keywords: Day care center; Peritoneal dialysis; Quality of life; Respite care