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An ordinary life: people with dementia living in a residential setting

An ordinary life: people with dementia living in a residential setting
An ordinary life: people with dementia living in a residential setting

The aim of this research was to explore the experiences of care support workers and family members of the impact of a new care approach in a specialised unit as it shifted from a clinical to an inclusive model, focused on creating an ordinary life for people with dementia and their families. The research was a partnership between the unit staff and university researchers. Using a qualitative approach, data were collected in focus groups with 11 family members and nine staff members. Thematic analysis identified the themes personalised care for people with dementia, family involvement – continuing to care, and staff competence and confidence to care. A personalised approach to supporting people with dementia was considered paramount, communicative family–staff relationships enhanced the social environment, and competence enhanced confidence and quality care. Participants identified positive ways of working that benefited staff and families and they reported increased well-being for the people with dementia on the unit. Developing well-articulated and systematically implemented local models of care provides opportunities for family and staff creativity and engagement, enhancing care for people with dementia. Strong and effective leadership is required to enable these approaches to become a reality.

dementia, family involvement, health and social care professionals, participation, specialised care
1471-3012
757-768
Brannelly, Tula
c37a8667-d2f6-4455-ba06-cb8bb1637d6a
Gilmour, Jean A.
96c36e59-fac4-41db-aefd-cf33c5fb1520
O’Reilly, Heidi
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Leighton, Mary
e1bdfd6c-68f9-48b2-8b1c-8a5e60321899
Woodford, Allana
3dd2cd99-15c9-4fe6-81e1-503661748ab6
Brannelly, Tula
c37a8667-d2f6-4455-ba06-cb8bb1637d6a
Gilmour, Jean A.
96c36e59-fac4-41db-aefd-cf33c5fb1520
O’Reilly, Heidi
8c8e857d-9c05-4173-9b27-77589f19e804
Leighton, Mary
e1bdfd6c-68f9-48b2-8b1c-8a5e60321899
Woodford, Allana
3dd2cd99-15c9-4fe6-81e1-503661748ab6

Brannelly, Tula, Gilmour, Jean A., O’Reilly, Heidi, Leighton, Mary and Woodford, Allana (2019) An ordinary life: people with dementia living in a residential setting. Dementia, 18 (2), 757-768. (doi:10.1177/1471301217693169).

Record type: Review

Abstract

The aim of this research was to explore the experiences of care support workers and family members of the impact of a new care approach in a specialised unit as it shifted from a clinical to an inclusive model, focused on creating an ordinary life for people with dementia and their families. The research was a partnership between the unit staff and university researchers. Using a qualitative approach, data were collected in focus groups with 11 family members and nine staff members. Thematic analysis identified the themes personalised care for people with dementia, family involvement – continuing to care, and staff competence and confidence to care. A personalised approach to supporting people with dementia was considered paramount, communicative family–staff relationships enhanced the social environment, and competence enhanced confidence and quality care. Participants identified positive ways of working that benefited staff and families and they reported increased well-being for the people with dementia on the unit. Developing well-articulated and systematically implemented local models of care provides opportunities for family and staff creativity and engagement, enhancing care for people with dementia. Strong and effective leadership is required to enable these approaches to become a reality.

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More information

Accepted/In Press date: 23 January 2017
e-pub ahead of print date: 8 February 2019
Published date: February 2019
Keywords: dementia, family involvement, health and social care professionals, participation, specialised care
Organisations: Faculty of Health Sciences

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 404452
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/404452
ISSN: 1471-3012
PURE UUID: 257df8ff-5e84-462d-9862-258aa832871a

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Date deposited: 09 Jan 2017 14:16
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 06:12

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Contributors

Author: Tula Brannelly
Author: Jean A. Gilmour
Author: Heidi O’Reilly
Author: Mary Leighton
Author: Allana Woodford

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