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Improving Quality of Life for Older People in Long-Stay Care ...

Improving Quality of Life for Older People in Long-Stay Care ...

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Education and tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g: comments from focus group participantsIt’s one <strong>of</strong> the most difficult th<strong>in</strong>gs to <strong>in</strong>itiate – is organisational change. At the end <strong>of</strong>the day, it’s the hardest job. … And I th<strong>in</strong>k the only way you will deal with it is througheducation and tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g. It’s the only tool that you will break it down with. (FG3D)I th<strong>in</strong>k sometimes on the fr<strong>in</strong>ges you do lose out (on educational opportunities) andit’s vital to keep <strong>in</strong> touch now. Everyth<strong>in</strong>g is chang<strong>in</strong>g so rapidly … and I know practiceis important too, but <strong>in</strong> order to practise, you have to have the knowledge. (FG1G)I’ve seen a difference <strong>in</strong> their actions and their behaviours on the ward. … Muchmore careful and much more precise. … They’re ask<strong>in</strong>g more questions … tak<strong>in</strong>gmore <strong>in</strong>dividual attention to the patient. (FGC) (Referr<strong>in</strong>g to care assistants whoare undertak<strong>in</strong>g the health care assistants tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g programme)5.6 Ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g <strong>Quality</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Life</strong>102Participants considered a focus on quality <strong>of</strong> life to be important. They perceivedthat residents’ quality <strong>of</strong> life is affected by the physical and social environments<strong>in</strong> which they live. Opportunity to keep <strong>in</strong> touch with their community was alsoidentified as a dimension <strong>of</strong> good quality <strong>of</strong> life.5.6.1 Physical EnvironmentParticipants believed that the physical environment <strong>of</strong> the facility significantlyimpacted on residents’ quality <strong>of</strong> life. Participants described the negative impact<strong>of</strong> the structure <strong>of</strong> older facilities on residents’ <strong>in</strong>dependence, privacy and dignity.Participants work<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> older facilities <strong>in</strong>dicated that <strong>in</strong> these facilities, large openwards and cramped space was the norm. In some cases, the lack <strong>of</strong> day roomsmeant residents had little option but to rema<strong>in</strong> by their bed <strong>for</strong> the duration <strong>of</strong>the day. Participants believed that poor build<strong>in</strong>g structure and lack <strong>of</strong> amenitiescould decrease older people’s <strong>in</strong>dependence and ability to self-care. There wasunanimous agreement across focus groups that communal liv<strong>in</strong>g, particularlywhen coupled with an <strong>in</strong>stitutionalised approach, impacted negatively on residents’quality <strong>of</strong> life.<strong>Improv<strong>in</strong>g</strong> <strong>Quality</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Life</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>Older</strong> <strong>People</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>Long</strong>-<strong>Stay</strong> <strong>Care</strong> Sett<strong>in</strong>gs <strong>in</strong> Ireland

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