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Chapter 5 Findings
“You know simple things. I do painting and music and I’m happy
with that – what do you expect in a home.”
(R07) (Barthel 8)
“A lot of them are institutionalised, very institutionalised in here.”
(S07)
Staff participants recognised that social engagement and activities were
important for the residents and should be part of the routine just as
physical care is:
“Over Christmas there was a lot going on. The patients seemed to
enjoy it. When the mass is on they enjoy it.”
(S08)
“I think the most important thing for everyone to understand is that
it is a home away from home. There is more to their lives than
physical care.”
(S11)
Yet the observations revealed that two residents who were visibly enjoying a
music activity were taken out of the day room and back to bed because staff
were adhering to routine:
“One nurse and one HCA come in and take two residents from the
session (Barthels 0). They appeared to be enjoying the music but
the staff appear to be bringing them back to bed without any
consultation – they are wheeled in their armchairs.”
(Obs – Day 2: 13.30-15.30hrs)
One nurse participant recognised the need to plan care and how this is dependent
on knowing the resident:
“To ‘plan the care’ that they are going to give with the resident and
depending on the needs of the resident and what care they need they
have to carry out that care.”
(S14)
The same nurse participant stated that what often happens is that the resident is
not included in the care planning process:
“As regards planning the care, ‘we’ll’ get this resident out now, ‘we’
want to get her out now and ‘we’ will get her out tomorrow.”
(S14)