Journal article
The experience of entering residential aged care: The views of residents, family members and staff an Appreciative Inquiry
Australasian journal on ageing, Vol.43(1), pp.52-60
03/2024
PMID: 37828653
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Abstract
Objectives
To understand resident, family and staff perspectives of older people's transition to residential aged care and initiatives that support this transition.
Methods
A qualitative Appreciative Inquiry was undertaken with residents, family members and staff in residential aged care. It included semistructured interviews (n = 40), three focus groups (n = 17) and an organisational summit (n = 72). Each stage sought to build on the previous one, deepening understanding of the issues experienced and identifying positive strategies for change. Data were analysed thematically using framework analysis.
Results
The transition experience was characterised by grief and guilt felt by family members and the challenges they faced in participating in a decision to admit a relative to residential aged care. Residents found the transition challenging but stressed the need to adjust to the situation. Family members struggled with trusting others to provide appropriate care and both residents and relatives reported challenges in communicating with staff. Initiatives were recommended by the organisational summit to assist in the transition to residential aged care. These included developing a service navigator role, co-designing new systems and resources with residents and relatives, and ensuring more consistent staffing.
Conclusions
Improved communication strategies and resources are needed to support the resident's identity, build trust in the organisation and support transition to residential aged care. Staff should continue to value the contribution family members play in the life of the resident and the culture of the aged care community.
Details
- Title
- The experience of entering residential aged care: The views of residents, family members and staff an Appreciative Inquiry
- Creators
- Frances Anne Larkey - Southern Cross UniversityMark Hughes - Southern Cross UniversitySusan Nancarrow - Southern Cross University
- Publication Details
- Australasian journal on ageing, Vol.43(1), pp.52-60
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Identifiers
- 991013143473002368
- Copyright
- © 2023 The Authors. Australasian Journal on Ageing published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of AJA Inc’. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License. Open access publishing facilitated by Southern Cross University, as part of the Wiley - Southern Cross University agreement via the Council of Australian University Librarians.
- Academic Unit
- Social Work; Faculty of Health
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article