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Chapter 5 Findings
contributes to the rushing and hurrying, and dictates the time available to do or to
not do other things. It was also revealed that gerontological care is often
perceived negatively and that this can affect the overall atmosphere.
Sub-theme 2b: Being Personalised: “There is more to their lives than
physical care”
This sub-theme suggested that staff should acknowledge the importance of
recreational activities and see them as part of the residents’ day. It was suggested
that participation in meaningful activity would enhance residents’ autonomy.
There was some debate about who should provide or facilitate the activity - is it
the staff member’s role or should an activities person be employed? And what do
residents actually want to do? It was also debated whether or not activities
should be scheduled and whether or not residents would like to leave the unit for
activities. It was recognised that at times there is nothing happening for residents.
Four out of six participants who talked about this issue expressed that the
residential unit should have a dedicated activities person:
“I think the best way would be an activities person – separate
because I think if that role was built into a nurse’s day or a care
assistant’s day that sometimes it could be forgotten about if the
place was busy and then the activities would be missed.”
(S13)
One nurse participant felt that:
“It doesn’t need to be from the outside. The staff can do it.....you
know.”
(S05)
Another nurse participant wasn’t sure what difference it would make:
“But then again you’d question how many of them would
participate.”
(S07)
Some staff participants felt that if the residents could be involved in “normal”
daily living and activity that this would be just as effective as scheduled
activities: