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

The implementation of a model of person-centred practice in older person settings
Action plans were put in place to address these issues and improvements made in
collaboration with residents and staff contributing to a more person-centred
environment.
In Falcarragh Community Hospital one of the early observations of care was carried
out in the dining room and analysis of the data identified the need to change the
environment and make it more homely and pleasant. A small working group
consisting of the DON, activity assistant and CNM2 was established to progress the
action planning process. The outcome of this for residents was a more ‘homely’ and
person-centred environment. Soft furnishings, tables and chairs were purchased and
the area was completely re-decorated. The emphasis of the group was to focus on
creating a person-centred environment in the dining room; this area is used daily by
residents and day visitors at mealtimes and also is used as a large recreational
facility on occasions. The sitting rooms were also refurbished as a result of formal
observations of care with the purchase of new televisions placed at appropriate
levels to enable residents to view comfortably. Overall the observations of care and
formal environmental observations identified many aspects that required further work
and change to enable a person-centred approach to be realised.
Meaningful Activities
The need to identify activities that were meaningful, interesting and that each
resident had choice and access to was identified through all stages of the data
collection with specific reference to analysis of resident narratives and observations
of care and in dialogue with residents through day-to-day conversations.
Suggestions from residents and staff were similar in both sites and included
facilitating residents to attend music sessions both in the hospital and outside in the
community, the inclusion of the community in birthday parties here appropriate, and
also the attendance at social events outside of the hospital.
In St Patrick’s an area on the Rivermead Ward was identified which could be
converted into a games/activity room and action planning put in place with the
inclusion of residents and staff. This work is a long term project and some aspects
have been completed and some are ongoing.
One of the residents in St Patrick’s specifically requested a wish to visit Knock Shrine
this was identified through participation at a resident group meeting. The CNM2 on
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