Conference Proceedings - School of Nursing & Midwifery - Trinity ...

School of Nursing & Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin: 8 th Annual Interdisciplinary Research Conference
Transforming Healthcare Through Research, Education & Technology: 7 th – 9 th November 2007
Conference Proceedings
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Enhancing quality of life for older people in receipt of
palliative care and older people in continuing care facilities
Prof. Pearl Treacy (PhD, MSc, BA, RGN) UCD (Director)
Mr. Jon Paul Faulkner (BA, MLitt, MSc) UCD
Dr.Gerard Fealy(PhD, Med, BNS, RGN, RPN, RNT) UCD (Project
Manager)
Dr.Jonathan Drennan (PhD, MED, BSc, FFNRCSI, PG Dip Stats, RGN,
RMHN, RPN, RNT) UCD
Dr. Catherine Blake (BPhysio, MmedSc, PhD, MISCP, MCSP)
Ms. Nora O’Connor (MES, BA, SRN, SCM)
Ms. Kaye Kealy (Dip.Onc, H.Dip, RGN, RPN)
Ms. Geraldine Tracey (MSc, H.Dip, RM, RGN)
Mr. Jon Paul Faulkner BA, MLitt, MSc,
Health Research Unit, Room B113,
School of Nursing, Midwifery & Health Systems,
Health Sciences Building,
University College Dublin,
Belfield,
Dublin 4
Jon.Paul.Faulkner@ucd.ie
01-716-6466
Background
As the proportion of Irish people aged 65 years and over continues
to grow over the coming years, it is likely that demands for health
care services, including residential care settings will increase.
Aims
1. To explore older people’s perceptions of factors which impact
on their quality of life with particular emphasis given to
exploring non-illness related factors, particularly dignity and
respect.
2. To explore older people’s needs in relation to factors
impacting on their quality of life, particularly dignity and
respect.
3. To explore with older people any interventions which they can
identify which would contribute to their quality of life given
their particular circumstances.
Research Design
The study has two phases Study 1 uses a qualitative grounded
theory approach by implementing one-to-one in-depth interviews to
examine participants’ perceptions and experiences of the factors
impacting on their quality of life, particularly dignity and respect.
Study 2 involves a survey measuring physical, psychcological,
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