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Chapter 1: Introduction and Background
autonomy has been considered key to enhancing residents’ quality of life. It is of
concern, however, that no evaluations have been undertaken in order to assess the
level of autonomy actually experienced by older people in residential care. It is
essential, considering the rapidly changing demographics within our society, to
develop a residential care service that is acceptable to older people.
The literature recognises that there are a number of global challenges arising in
gerontological nursing: a growing older population, the need for different ways of
working, changing core skills and competencies, mixed cultures, and a focus on
choice. Respecting patient autonomy and seeing patients as partners in healthcare
decision-making are high on the current healthcare agenda. It is argued that adopting
a specific research focus on resident autonomy is key to the success of these
challenges.
A Health Research Board (HRB) fellowship was sought and granted for this
research.
1.5.2 Aim for Phase One
In phase one the aim is to explore autonomy for older people in residential care. The
specific objectives for phase one are to:
Define resident autonomy.
Explore resident autonomy in one residential care setting in Ireland, from
multiple perspectives and from multiple data sources.
1.5.3 Rationale for Phase Two
Phase two of the study evolved from the findings of phase one, which revealed a lack
of resident autonomy in the case study site.
According to Meyer and Sturdy (2004), if research is to be meaningful to both older
people and those caring for them, there is an urgent need for gerontological nursing
research to become much more practice/action orientated. Only then will we derive
outcomes that are valid for older people.