New study reveals how to improve the quality of life of nursing home residents

23/02/2010 09:48:27

The family and family members’ visits to nursing homes are considered a critical aspect of quality of life for older people in long term care, according to a new study. The study outlined the main factors which nursing homes should take into account to further improve the quality of life of their residents. These factors include: family; privacy; relationships; keeping active; religion; and interactions with staff.

The research was carried out with 100 elderly residents living in four different nursing homes in the Dublin and Wicklow area and was compiled by Dr Suzanne Cahill PhD and Ms Ana Diaz Ponce from the Dementia Services Information and Development Centre (DSIDC) and the School of Social Work and Social Policy Trinity College Dublin.

According to the report,  open-door visiting policies should be encouraged whenever possible so family members can see their elderly relatives as often as they wish. Nursing home staff are also encouraged to involve family members as best as possible in the life and culture of the nursing home, as many family members feel a void in their lives after an elderly relative moves out of the home.

Interestingly, residents with single rooms said they felt more "at home"  in long term care as they could  personalise their rooms and make them homely. Residents also spoke about the freedom of being able to return to their own room when they felt like it and enjoyed the privacy and intimacy of a single room.

Residents also said they enjoyed seeing new people and new faces coming into the nursing home and building new relationships.  Initiatives that facilitate elderly peoples’ connections with their past lives and outside world, such as voluntary workers coming into nursing homes, or transitional students on work placements are recommended.

Some residents who lived in long term care settings without regular activity programmes reported they felt bored. On the other hand, nursing homes that delivered regular activity programmes were found to promote self-esteem and greater well-being among residents. Activities cited as providing much pleasure included cross-words, bingo, singing, exercise games and art. Some residents derived much pleasure from being enabled to help fellow residents they considered more disabled than them.

A "person-centred" approach to care was also appreciated by residents who valued simple gestures such as staff knocking on their doors, listening to their preferences and offering them choice where possible. Residents often became very close and fond of particular staff members who adopted a "person-centred" approach to their care and who knew their biographies and life stories.

Religion was also considered important to residents and nursing homes are therefore advised to promote appropriate and regular times for religious practices.

Speaking about the research findings, Dr Suzanne Cahill of the DSIDC and Trinity College Dublin said: "This research was conducted to hear the voice of residents’ in long term care and elicit their views on factors promoting quality of life. Despite the fact that many of these elderly people had a cognitive impairment, by far the majority could easily identify aspects of day to day living which either promoted or hindered a good quality of life.  The report outlines the factors which promote quality of life as articulated by the 100 elderly people who were interviewed and recommendations are forwarded as to how nursing home staff could enhance the quality of life of their residents".

"Based on the findings of the report, a person-centred approach to nursing home care is recommended. The quality of life of residents and their families should be a key focus of nursing home staff and both parties should have significant input in their care plan", continued Dr Suzanne Cahill.

Also speaking about the publication of the report, Ed Murphy of Home Instead Senior Care said: "There comes a time in some older peoples' lives where nursing home care is necessary and they must move from the home to a long term care setting. Making this move can have a profound effect on both the older person and their families and we encourage nursing home staff to consider how they can best improve the quality of life of both the senior and their family members and help them adjust to their new environment. It is my hope that this study generates awareness of the factors that affect the quality of life of nursing home residents and that older people living in a nursing home will experience an improved quality of life".

This study was supported by a grant from The Atlantic Philanthropies.

Download a free copy of the report here: Living in a Nursing Home.pdf