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Chapter 5 Findings
and the nurse says ‘I think she has pain, will we wait?’ But the
HCA replies ‘oh, she always cries’ and they carry on washing and
dressing her.”
(Obs – Day 2: 07.30-09.30hrs)
Staff participants acknowledged that it is only when they get to “know”
the residents through communication that they can build relationships
with them:
“Well I mean there has to be effective communication to build up a
mutual relationship with them and to get to know them better.”
(S11)
Having fun with the resident also helps to build relationships:
“One male resident is calling the HCA ‘the lady with the smiles’.
They are having a laugh with him.”
(Obs - Day 2: 10.30-12.30hrs)
It was observed that residents often talk to non-direct care team members:
“The laundry staff member is often able to stop and chat with the
residents as she puts their clothes in their wardrobes and the
residents appear to have a good relationship with her. Perhaps they
see her as different to the other staff as she is not visibly rushing as
much as the others and they seem to trust her with their clothes.”
(Obs – Reflection on Day 1 – morning time)
Staff participants acknowledged that they feel they don’t always have enough
time to talk to the residents but it was also observed that there are many residents
who don’t interact with each other either:
“There are seven residents participating in art activity with an art
tutor. They appear to be enjoying it but are not communicating with
each other. They are working on their individual paintings. They
appear to get on well with the tutor.”
(Obs – Day 1: 15.30-16.30hrs)
“Two of the ladies occasionally communicate with each other but
one is very deaf and one is very confused so the conversation tends
to not go very far.”
(Obs – Day 1: 18.30-19.30hrs)