This study is based upon research results and author’s experiences in Japan that “the quality of life”(QOL) of elderly with senile dementia affected heavily by the quality of care provided to them, and there must be change of understanding of care givers to provide high quality care to those people. Here, the KOMI theory and the application of KOMI CHART SYSTEM serve as useful tools to enhance care-givers’ recognition, thereby increase quality of care itself and further QOL of the elderly with this orientation problems. The purpose of this study is to confirm that the result and experiences are applicable to related field in Korea. Through a variety of case studies, this paper focuses on the impact of “KOMI theory” and the application of “KOMI CHART SYSTEM” on the care-givers’ understanding.
This study demonstrates that KOMI theory looks at human being at biological level (cell level), and KOMI CHART SYSTEM focuses on establishing fundamental relationship between humans at biological level and their lives. Therefore, the theory and system can be applied in Japan as well as in Korea.
We can also say that KOMI theory is one of basic theories of care work in that the theory regards care-receivers as normal and healthy human beings with dignity and takes its aim at providing care-receivers with QOL at their physiological level (the maximum level where they can stand on their own feet). We authors agree that due to this characteristic, KOMI theory is applicable in Korea as well unlike other theories and tools based on institutions and social systems of certain country.
This study was carried out at 4 departments of 3 institutions where provide cares to those elderly. Under the guidance of this author, 8 assistants used KOMI CHART SYSTEM to conduct life assessment, draft care plan, provide care, evaluate the result, and deployed individual care management course to 1 or 2 elderly with senile dementia. The total time consumed by providing care was 4 months.
As a result, we found out that the application of KOMI theory and KOMI CHART SYSTEM in Korean setting of senile dementia’s care is effective as a tool to provide “better understanding to care givers” and improve “quality level of care”, and further to increase the quality of life of subjects (elderly with this orientation probloms).
Keywords: elderly with senile dementia, KOMI theory and KOMI chart system, care givers’ understanding of dementia, QOL, case study, care management