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

The implementation of a model of person-centred practice in older person settings
their initial involvement meant that all program processes had to be reviewed, this,
while challenging at the time, proved beneficial to the group as a whole, as existing
participants reported this review helped them to understand the principles of Person-
Centred Care more thoroughly.
St Joseph’s program group included nurses and care assistants. At the beginning of
the second year, there was a change of both external and internal facilitators. Initially
these changes led to disruption of the program, but they also led to fresh ideas and
new personalities.
St Columbanus program group consisted of CNM2, CNM1, staff nurses, care
assistants and an activities therapist.
Phase 1 data collection findings (January 2008)
Preparations for the program commenced in the Spring of 2007. Data were collected
on three occasions during the period of the program delivery, namely January 2008,
November 2008 and June 2009. The baseline findings from the first round of data
collection in January 2008 informed the participants about the needs of residents and
about some organisational issues that needed to be addressed. For example:
• Residents had limited access to outdoors or to spaces where they could
share private time with their families.
• Residents had limited choice around mealtimes and activities, or if residents
were unable to inform staff of their choice/need, how could staff address this?
• Staff felt there was not enough time available to spend with or chat to
residents. They felt disempowered with little autonomy and that care delivery
was task orientated, with the emphasis on the biomedical model of nursing.
Action Plans arising from phase 1 data collection
Team building exercises assisted the participants in progressing their action plans.
They reminded each other daily about the language being used and becoming more
person-centred. An agreed process for giving and receiving feedback was
developed, and for managing high challenge/high support. Activities were developed
in order for residents to have more choice. More meaningful conversations with
residents were encouraged and residents’ narratives were obtained.
98