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Chapter 5 Findings
The lack of care planning as a form of team communication was also evident and
it was observed that:
“Some residents have notices around their beds such as ‘family take
laundry home’.”
(Obs – Day 2)
Examples of communication were also revealed when residents delegate care
needs to another person. This is when residents delegate the action of their
choice, so while they may know what they want to do they may be physically
unable to do it and so they delegate to a staff person. Some staff assume what a
physically dependent resident wants rather than waiting for the resident to
delegate their care needs:
“I mean automatically it’s just done for them.”
(H02)
“Some of them if they want water they will ask for it.”
(S10)
Some residents are observed delegating, e.g. “did you plug that in?” a resident
asks a HCA if they have plugged in their electric razor.
The majority of staff participants spoke about the role of the family for person-
to-person interaction and communication. The role of family in helping residents
to remain autonomous was acknowledged. Families were observed to play a
social role, a care planning role and a practical role, e.g. the provision of clothing
for residents.
Overall, family participants felt that the staff on the research unit were
approachable:
“You can ask them anything”
(F03) (Barthel 8)
and that they share information freely:
“Now I don’t make any demands on them or anything – but they’re
very forthcoming if I do want anything or want to know anything.”
(F03) (Barthel 8)