The Implementation of a Model of Person-Centred Practice In Older ...

The implementation of a model of person-centred practice in older person settings
Throughout all the data sets, the issue of meaningful activity and prevention of
boredom was a recurring issue. The observation data in particular highlighted the
lack of meaningful activity for residents, particularly those who had high levels of
physical need or who had a dementia. Developing meaningful activities and
alleviating boredom were key components of most action plans in all sites. The data
reflects a significant shift in the range of activities available to residents and this was
noted in the observation data in particular:
“I use a wheelchair, I can’t walk. I don’t go on outings because I don’t want to. I go
in a wheelchair to the drawing and I like that. The girls come once a week but I
would like it to be more …” (Resident story)
I asked M [resident name] if she ever goes out of the unit or visits other areas and
she stated ‘no’. “I like my own space here, I never was one for socialising or mixing.
I have been to their [family members] homes a couple of times but the children
running around and the noise, I prefer them to come here … I don’t do any of those
activities like painting or bingo. I don’t enjoy that kind of thing … I just like the peace
and quiet and staying in my room. I have always been that type, just a quiet person”
(Resident story)
“I like living here. The nurses are nice. The new hospital is nicer than the old one as
there is more space for me to get around in my wheelchair. In the old hospital the
beds were so narrow I used to get caught. Now I can go out into the front hall and
the chapel as I like. I’m up at 6am every morning. I love to get up at 6. When I was
at home I would go to bed at midnight and get up at 6am. I would hate it if someone
told me I couldn’t get up till 10am. I like my routine … (Resident story)
“… I would like to be able to go out in the sun” (Resident story)
“… The day is boring, but I wouldn’t suggest anything to the doctor as it’s he who has
control you know. I don’t know what could be done to make it less boring, but I’d like
to go to [other ward] because of the easier way of it. It’s more calm. I liked it there. I
was there for a month before. Everything was different there. I was able to do my
own thing there, and I won’t say any more now …” (Resident story)
“TV dominates the space – nobody watching it …” (observation note)
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