9.1.1 Finding a home in residential care settings for older people (108)
Adeline Cooney, Lecturer, Nursing and Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, National University of Ireland, Galway, Galway, Ireland adeline.cooney@nuigalway.ie
Abstract:
Background:
This paper will introduce the concept of ‘home’ and explore its significance to residents’ quality of life (QoL). Aim The study aimed to understand residents’ experiences of residential care and focused on whether they experienced a sense of home and how this impacted on their QoL.
Methods:
This was a grounded theory study. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 61 residents living in seven residential care facilities. The settings reflect different types of residential settings.
Results:
It was found that residents attempted to create a home in the residential setting. ‘Creating a home’ was conceptualised as the core category and comprised of four properties: ‘continuity’, ‘belonging’, ‘preserving personal identity’ and ‘being active and working’. It was evident that some participants felt at home in the setting while others did not, also that there was a greater chance of residents feeling at home in some settings than in others.
Discussion:
Participants who felt at home reported that they lived life on their terms. The qualities they associated with feeling at home were: continuity, privacy, self-expression, activity, feeling useful and valued. These qualities were enhanced or constrained by the physical environment of the setting. The social environment was also key and feelings of warmth and ease were associated with homeliness. Feeling part of the group promoted a sense of belonging. Staff attitudes and approach to care delivery were powerful determinants of residents’ experience. The individual’s expectations, past experience and involvement in the move coloured their experience of living there and determined the ease with which they settled.
Conclusion:
The paper will present the theory of ‘creating a home in residential settings. Its implications for practice will be explored. This study contributes to a fuller understanding of residents’ experiences of residential care.
Source of Funding: N/A
Amount in Funding: N/A
Biography:
Adeline Cooney is a Lecturer in the School of Nursing and Midwifery, National University of Ireland, Galway. She trained as a nurse and has a background in clinical nursing and nurse education. Her research focuses on older people, in particular on the quality of life of older people living in both community and residential care settings. She is currently completing her PhD research on older peoples’ experiences of residential care, the extent to which they feel at ‘home’ in these settings and how this impacts on their quality of life.