The Effect of Organizational Silence on Quality of Long-term Care Services among Care Workers : Focusing on the Mediating Effect of Human Rights Behavior

ABSTRACTAn increased demand for long-term care services coupled with the decreased availability of informal (family) carers in many industrialised countries has led to the employment of growing numbers of ‘migrant care workers’. Little is known about this heterogeneous group or of their experience of employment in long-term care. Providing an important insight into a hitherto little researched and poorly understood topic, this article presents the findings of a qualitative study in Ireland that sought greater understanding of migrant carers' experience of care work and of the intra-group differences among them. The findings suggest that some members of the long-term care workforce are more likely to confront obstacles and discrimination than others. The data indicate that the experiences of European, South Asian and African carers are significantly different and that relationships may exist between carers' region of origin and their experience of care work, employment mobility and long-term plans for remaining in the sector. The findings underscore the significance of acknowledging the unique barriers and obstacles faced by particular populations of care workers. A better understanding of the changing demographic profile and needs of both care recipients and their paid (migrant) care-givers is required to ensure that appropriate policy and practical interventions are developed to support both groups.

Download Full-text

The Working Conditions for Care Workers and Care Quality in Long-Term Care Services

Korean Journal of Social Welfare ◽

10.20970/kasw.2017.69.1.002 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 69 (1) ◽

pp. 33-57 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

권현정 ◽

Kyungzoon Hong

Keyword(s):

Working Conditions ◽

Long Term Care ◽

Care Quality ◽

Term Care ◽

Care Services ◽

Care Workers

Download Full-text

519 - PET@home: Research protocol for a toolkit to improve care for non-residential long term care clients owning pets

International Psychogeriatrics ◽

10.1017/s1041610221002143 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 33 (S1) ◽

pp. 68-68

Author(s):

Ruslan Leontjevas ◽

Marie-José Enders-Slegers ◽

Peter Reniers ◽

Ine Declerq ◽

Debby Gerritsen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Long Term Care ◽

Support Network ◽

Social Support Network ◽

Term Care ◽

Care Workers ◽

Residential Long Term Care

BackgroundOver half of the households in The Netherlands have one or more pets. In elderly people, owning a pet is associated with a better quality of life and less loneliness, anxiety, depression and agitation. Many non-residential long term care (LTC) clients rely on support of others to take care of their pets. However, that may place a significant burden on the social support network of the LTC client. Issues relevant to keeping pets are not explicitly incorporated in the Dutch Long-term Care Act. Many LTC organizations have no instruments for care workers, clients and their family (1) to consolidate the positive role of pets for clients’ quality of life and (2) to address whether it is possible to keep the pets and to organize care accordingly.Research ObjectivesTo help care workers, clients and their family to gain insight into the role of the pets in the clients’ life and their social support network; to develop practical instruments that help making decisions about owning and caring for pets.MethodPLAN: In months 0-16, a narrative systematic review will be conducted (STUDY 1.1) on the meaning of pets for elderly people in general. A qualitative STUDY 1.2 with LTC clients, their informal carers and care professionals will validate and further explore the topic. STUDY 1.3 and 1.4 develop and (cognitively) validate work cards for interviews of clients and relatives by care providers. In months 17-29, an Experience based co-design method (STUDIES 2.1-2.3) will be used to develop the PET@home toolkit. The method includes (1) discovery interviews (10 clients and their family), (2) focus groups with healthcare providers (N = 2x6); (3) focus groups with 6-8 clients and informal and professional carers. In STUDY 3.1, potential users will pre-test the Toolkit. In months 30-34, a process evaluation (STUDY 3.2) is performed in 10-15 clients. A dissemination and an implementation plan will be developed.ConclusionsThe project will result in an innovative PET@home toolkit that will help to assess the pets role in the clients’ quality of life and support network, and will help making decisions about owning and caring for pets.

Download Full-text

Running to stand still? Two decades of trade union activity in the Irish long-term care sector

Transfer European Review of Labour and Research ◽

10.1177/10242589211028461 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 102425892110284

Author(s):

Caroline Murphy ◽

Michelle O’Sullivan

Keyword(s):

Trade Unions ◽

Public Expenditure ◽

Long Term Care ◽

Personal Care ◽

Decent Work ◽

Term Care ◽

Policy Regimes ◽

Care Services ◽

Care Workers

This article examines the ongoing efforts of trade unions in Ireland to protect and improve the working conditions of personal care workers amid employment and social policy regimes associated with a liberal welfare state. Comparatively low public expenditure on care and the increasing marketisation of care services have undermined the provision of decent work. This article assesses two major union campaigns related to personal care workers over two decades, and reviews the key priorities that have emerged for unions during the COVID-19 pandemic. We consider whether the outcomes of these campaigns have been converted into enhanced rewards for workers and discuss the continuing challenges for union campaigning.

Download Full-text