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

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Resident respondents <strong>in</strong>dicated that staff were generally k<strong>in</strong>d and helpful. Theyemphasised how hard they worked and that ‘noth<strong>in</strong>g was too much trouble’<strong>for</strong> them. Not surpris<strong>in</strong>gly, residents had favourite staff members but they also<strong>in</strong>dicated that there were some staff they did not like. When staff were not liked,it appeared to relate to either their manner or general approach to their work.A clash <strong>of</strong> personalities could account <strong>for</strong> some <strong>of</strong> these differences, but <strong>in</strong> some<strong>in</strong>stances residents’ comments would suggest that to some degree they werefrightened <strong>of</strong> some staff members. A few residents described be<strong>in</strong>g handledroughly on occasions. Some reported that certa<strong>in</strong> staff did not provide care <strong>in</strong>a car<strong>in</strong>g way, mak<strong>in</strong>g them feel a nuisance if they sought help. In such <strong>in</strong>stances,residents reported not ask<strong>in</strong>g <strong>for</strong> help unless they had to.Table 10.2: Resident/staff relationships188Build<strong>in</strong>g a relationshipI’ve visited nurs<strong>in</strong>g homes be<strong>for</strong>e wecame <strong>in</strong> you know, visit<strong>in</strong>g neighboursand there was nobody talk<strong>in</strong>g toanybody.Int: But it’s different here?It’s different here, the nurses comeup there, they just come up <strong>for</strong> a bit<strong>of</strong> slag. (LCI Resident 15, Private)I’ll always speak to them (residents),have a little chat … and we talk aboutgardens. … Sometimes the patientswill ask me ‘are you married?’, andthat’s the way I like it, as if you werevisit<strong>in</strong>g them at home. That’s the wayI look at it. (YW2 <strong>Care</strong> Assistant 01,Private)Gentle and car<strong>in</strong>gYou’ve no idea how good they (staff)are! It’s like your own now.Int: And they’re gentle with you noware they, when they’re handl<strong>in</strong>g you?Oh, you couldn’t imag<strong>in</strong>e it. Theyhug you and love you, and all that.(YW1 Resident 02, Private)Relationship with residentsnot a priorityThey’re (staff) very, very busy here. Youfeel that you can’t make more friendshipwith them. (YW5 Resident 07, Private)Some people (staff) are very strict andmaybe it depends about the personalitiesand expectations. Maybe some peoplehere only treat the job as a job becausethey need money. They don’t need to buildsome relationship but anyways it’s alwayseasier to work you know … if you havegood relationship with your patients.(YW5 Registered Nurse 01, Private)They (staff) are very good at provid<strong>in</strong>gphysical care but they do not cater well<strong>for</strong> emotional side <strong>of</strong> th<strong>in</strong>gs. … Emotionalwell-be<strong>in</strong>g plays second fiddle. (Relative)Rough handl<strong>in</strong>gInt: Are they (staff) gentle when they’rewash<strong>in</strong>g you?Ah, they are, very gentle, but some<strong>of</strong> them is tough like, you know.Int: How are they tough?Well, they wouldn’t m<strong>in</strong>d throw<strong>in</strong>g youaround. (GN2 Resident 06, Public)<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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