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“She’s....and she could do so much more than she is doing.”
(S02) (Barthel 12)
“Well, I asked her to wash her face and that’s all she did.”
(S03) (Barthel 2)
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Chapter 5 Findings
“A lot of them feel useless as well, if they could make themselves
feel useful.”
(S13)
The resident person’s capacity and independence were also described in relation
to their ability to be involved in decision-making. It was stated that autonomy in
making decisions is about first having the availability of choices for residents in
order for them to actually make decisions. It was revealed that the majority of
decisions that residents actually made were in relation to physical care. It was
suggested that making decisions involves compromise- it may depend on what
staff persons are on duty and it may be dependent upon a resident person’s
mental capacity. It was revealed in the observations that the residents have little
or no choice about the food they eat. Staff acknowledged that residents are more
involved in daily decision-making now than in the past, but that this involvement
could be further enhanced. It was acknowledged that some residents are capable
of making decisions and should be provided with opportunities to do so.
However, staff spoke about their struggles with challenging the status quo in
order to enable more resident decision-making.
Staff and family participants stated that confused residents or residents with
dementia were incapable of making decisions and that only those who were
“compos mentis” should be consulted:
“He’s not able, maybe others with their minds could have other
options.”
(F03) (Barthel 8)
“But I don’t think the patients know what they want to do.”
(S03)
“If they are alert and orientated we can ask them what they want.”
(S09)