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Staff participants also expressed their frustrations:
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Chapter 5 Findings
“They’re all the same track suits and they’re all the same. I mean I’d say half
the women in here never wore trousers in their life and they’re all put into
trousers… The whole ‘lets wear it’.”
(H02)
One resident participant felt like he had lost control of the clothing issue:
“I used to be very fussy about what I wore and always had
everything matching and a suit going to work but since I got sick I
just don’t care. I never would have worn those tracksuits though.”
(R07) (Barthel 8)
However, on one of the days of observation it was observed that the
female residents were:
“Well dressed and have nice clothes and scarves on.”
(Obs – Day 1: 09.30-10.30hrs)
Staff participants felt strongly about the practice of providing communal
clothing:
“I think the other thing is in terms of, you know, they don’t have
their own wardrobes and like they do share clothes and I think
that’s wrong.”
(S07)
Similarly, staff participants felt that the residents’ dignity could be
maintained by paying attention to the detail of appearances:
“I mean putting a few rollers in their hair or…”
(H02)
It was observed that staff participants did attempt to help the residents
with their appearance and consequently their dignity by washing and
blow-drying their hair.
The observations revealed that, where possible, staff did try to maintain
privacy:
“Dignity appeared to be maintained throughout as curtains were
drawn around beds when attending to care and all bibs except for
one had been removed after breakfast.”
(Obs – Day 1: 09.30-10.30hrs Reflection)