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

4.5.4 Profile of Study SitesA comprehensive profile of each facility was completed by research assistants(Appendix Two). A template for this profile was developed by the research teamand used by each research assistant so that there was consistency of data gatheredfrom each study site. The research assistant remained on site for one week andwas responsible for identifying residents, staff and relatives for interview, forestablishing a rapport with residents and staff, gathering demographic data frominterviewees, obtaining consent and completing the quantitative instruments withresidents. Interviews with residents and staff were conducted by experiencedinterviewers. Interviewers used an interview schedule to guide interviews.90A list of residents for interview was supplied by the director of nursing in each ofthe chosen facilities. The list excluded residents who, for either physical or mentalhealth reasons, could not participate. Residents were then selected at randomand invited to participate. If they refused, or were not deemed suitable, anotherresident was chosen at random from the list. Staff were also selected randomlyfrom the duty rotas. All staff involved in direct care had the potential to be included.Residents selected for interview were asked to nominate a relative who may wishto participate in an interview. Telephone interviews were conducted with relatives.4.5.5 Research InstrumentsThe Middlesex Elderly Assessment of Mental State (MEAMS) (Golding et al.,1989) was used to ensure that residents were cognitively able to participate in thestudy. The MEAMS was chosen, firstly, because it has the capacity to differentiatebetween dementia and depression (Golding et al., 1989) and, secondly, becauseamended norms for participants who have had a stroke are available (Shiel andWilson, 1992). Only residents with a score of three or higher on the MEAMS wereincluded for interview. Residents’ overall level of dependency was measured bythe Collin and Wade version of the Barthel Index (Collin et al., 1997). This wasadministered by interview with residents where possible or when not with staffon residents’ behalf.4.5.6 Interview SchedulesFollowing an analysis of the literature, two resident interview schedules weredeveloped – one for residents who could communicate without difficulty and onefor residents who could only answer ‘yes’ or ‘no’ (Appendix Three). The scheduleswere based around the domains of quality of life identified within the literature andImproving Quality of Life for Older People in Long-Stay Care Settings in Ireland