View/Open - ARAN - National University of Ireland, Galway

“I think....go into the kitchen and make a cup of tea for
themselves....brush the floor, things they would have done at
home.”
(S04)
227
Chapter 5 Findings
The observations revealed that some staff automatically seize the moment to
brighten up the day:
“A nurse comes in and chats to the residents individually. She starts
a lady knitting. The nurse states that ‘it would be nice to have a
table cloth for the dinner.’ She goes off and gets a sheet and some
nice napkins and it makes the residents smile.”
(Obs – Day 2: 10.30-12.30hrs)
Interestingly, staff participants use the phrase “get out” when they talk
about the residents having opportunities to leave the unit. All staff
participants spoke about their desire to take residents on outings but
expressed remorse at not being able to do this due to staffing levels and
lack of resources:
“I’d love to see a bus for the unit out there.”
(H04)
“Bring them on holidays [said with enthusiasm]. Out of here –
anywhere. X has not seen the outside of here in 22 years! They all
talk about going home. One trip we did before, they were talking
about it for years.”
(S01)
“The day room looks out onto the garden but has locked patio
doors. There is a ramp down into the garden and raised flower beds.
It is not very well maintained. There are some old machinery on
display like ploughing machines. There are potatoes growing and
wild rabbits can be seen.”
(General Observation)
The observations revealed that about four residents regularly leave the
unit:
“She is gone to mass which is at 1pm in the hospital chapel in the
grounds of the hospital.”
“One lady from that ward is gone out to day care in another unit.”