Abstract
Background:
A worldwide demographic trend elucidates significant global transitions to an older population as people are living much longer. This grounded theory study was designed to explore the lived experience of nursing home residents in the context of the nursing home as their ‘home’. Further, the study also explored how staff employed within the nursing home sector in the Republic of Ireland, facilitated the creation of a homely environment for their residents. The transition to long-term care can be an emotional and stressful experience for older people and their families and whilst much literature reports on such transitions, very few studies have explored the concept of the nursing home as the residents’ home.
Aim:
The overall aim of this study was to explore the lived experience of nursing home residents in the context of the nursing home as their ‘home’. Moreover, it also aimed to evaluate and critique the role of nursing home staff in enabling and maximising a ‘homely’ experience for their residents.
Design and Methods:
This was a grounded theory study, which used qualitative data collection methods. A semi-structured interview schedule was operationalised within focus groups with both nursing home residents and nursing home staff. Interviews lasted approximately onehour and were recorded and transcribed verbatim. The total number of participants was 92 comprising 44 staff members and 48 residents. A total of 8 staff groups and 8 resident groups participated in 16 focus groups which were conducted in both urban and rural areas and which contained a mixture of nursing home types (single operator
and groups) from the private and voluntary sectors.
Analysis:
Data were analysed using open, axial and selective coding methods. Manual analysis of transcripts, charting, field notes and collages contributed to the earlier stages of analysis and then QSR NVivo was utilised, which assisted in the retrieval and storage of participant data. This facilitated the emergence of sub-categories to support the core category and subsequently the development of a substantive theory on the context of nursing homes as ‘home’.
Conclusion:
‘Understanding’ and ‘knowing’ the ‘person’ was central to the concept of ‘homely care’ in participating nursing homes. This theory describes the centrality of the experience for both the recipients of nursing home care and the staff who provide this care.
A worldwide demographic trend elucidates significant global transitions to an older population as people are living much longer. This grounded theory study was designed to explore the lived experience of nursing home residents in the context of the nursing home as their ‘home’. Further, the study also explored how staff employed within the nursing home sector in the Republic of Ireland, facilitated the creation of a homely environment for their residents. The transition to long-term care can be an emotional and stressful experience for older people and their families and whilst much literature reports on such transitions, very few studies have explored the concept of the nursing home as the residents’ home.
Aim:
The overall aim of this study was to explore the lived experience of nursing home residents in the context of the nursing home as their ‘home’. Moreover, it also aimed to evaluate and critique the role of nursing home staff in enabling and maximising a ‘homely’ experience for their residents.
Design and Methods:
This was a grounded theory study, which used qualitative data collection methods. A semi-structured interview schedule was operationalised within focus groups with both nursing home residents and nursing home staff. Interviews lasted approximately onehour and were recorded and transcribed verbatim. The total number of participants was 92 comprising 44 staff members and 48 residents. A total of 8 staff groups and 8 resident groups participated in 16 focus groups which were conducted in both urban and rural areas and which contained a mixture of nursing home types (single operator
and groups) from the private and voluntary sectors.
Analysis:
Data were analysed using open, axial and selective coding methods. Manual analysis of transcripts, charting, field notes and collages contributed to the earlier stages of analysis and then QSR NVivo was utilised, which assisted in the retrieval and storage of participant data. This facilitated the emergence of sub-categories to support the core category and subsequently the development of a substantive theory on the context of nursing homes as ‘home’.
Conclusion:
‘Understanding’ and ‘knowing’ the ‘person’ was central to the concept of ‘homely care’ in participating nursing homes. This theory describes the centrality of the experience for both the recipients of nursing home care and the staff who provide this care.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Ulster University and Nursing Homes Ireland |
| Commissioning body | Nursing Homes Ireland |
| Number of pages | 54 |
| Edition | Executive Summary |
| Publication status | Published (in print/issue) - 1 Aug 2017 |