scholarly journals Nurse-Patient Interaction and Self-Transcendence: Assets for a Meaningful Life in Nursing Home Residents?

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gørill Haugan ◽  
Britt Moene Kuven ◽  
Wenche Mjanger Eide ◽  
Siw Eriksen Tåsen ◽  
Eva Rinnan ◽  
...  

Abstract Background. Today, we face a shift to an older population worldwide and its consequences; a noteworthy part of older adults will need 24-hours nursing home care at the end of life. Finding new and alternative approaches to increase wellbeing among nursing home residents is highly warranted. Knowledge about nurse-patient-interaction, self-transcendence and meaning-in-life seems vital in order to guide clinical practice in how to best and efficiently boost wellbeing among older adults in nursing homes. Methods In a cross-sectional design, 188 (92% response rate) out of 204 long-term NH patients representing 27 NHs responded to the nurse-patient interaction, self-transcendence, and the purpose-and-meaning-in-life scales. Inclusion criteria were: (1) municipality authority’s decision of long-term NH care; (2) residential time three months or longer; (3) informed consent competency recognized by responsible doctor and nurse; and (4) capable of being interviewed. The hypothesized relations (five hypotheses) between the latent constructs were tested by means of structural equation modelling (SEM) using Stata 15.1. Results The SEM-model yielded a good fit (χ2=146.824, p=0.021, df=114, χ2 /df=1.29 RMSEA=0.040, p-close 0.811, CFI=0.97, TLI=0.96, and SRMR=0.063), showing significant relationships between the constructs of nurse-patient interaction, inter- and intra-personal self-transcendence and meaning-in-life. Nurse-patient interaction significantly relates with both inter- and intra-personal self-transcendence and meaning in NH patients. Self-transcendence revealed a fundamental influence on perceived meaning, while nurse-patient interaction demonstrated a significant influence on meaning, mediated by self-transcendence Conclusion According to the rapidly growing number of people over 65 in the world, and the growing segment of people 80-100, the present results are significant in their suggestions that nurse-patient-interaction is a crucial resource in relation to nursing home residents’ wellbeing. Knowledge of how nurse-patient-interaction, self-transcendence and meaning relate to each other among older adults in NHs is important for researchers, nurses, caregivers, nursing educators, and clinicians. Health professionals in nursing homes should learn how to competently use the nurse-patient interaction as a health promoting asset for self-transcendence, meaning and thus well-being. Nursing home nurses should be given more time for interacting with the residents, continuity and mutuality in nurse-patient relationships should be prioritized and facilitated.

Author(s):  
Gørill Haugan

AbstractWe are now witnessing a major change in the world’s population. Many people globally grow very old: 80, 90, and 100 years. Increased age is followed by an increased incidence of functional and chronic comorbidities and diverse disabilities, which for many leads to the need for long-term care in a nursing home. Quality of life and health promotive initiatives for older persons living in nursing homes will become ever more important in the years to come. Therefore, this chapter focuses on health promotion among older adults living in nursing homes. First, this chapter clarifies the concepts of health, salutogenesis, and pathogenesis, followed by knowledge about health promotion. Then insight and knowledge about the nursing home population is provided; what promotes health and well-being in nursing home residents?Health promotion in the health services should be based on integrated knowledge of salutogenesis and pathogenesis. The salutogenic understanding of health is holistic and considers man as a wholeness including physical, mental, social, and spiritual/existential dimensions. Research indicates that various health-promoting interventions, specifically the nurse–patient interaction, influence on older adults in nursing homes as a wholeness of body–soul–spirit, affecting the whole being. Hence, dimensions such as pain, fatigue, dyspnea, nausea, loneliness, anxiety, and depressive symptoms will be influenced through health-promoting approaches. Therefore, two separate studies on the health-promoting influences of nurse–patient interaction in nursing home residents were conducted. In total, nine hypotheses of directional influence of the nurse–patient interaction were tested, all of which finding support.Along with competence in pain and symptom management, health-promoting nurse–patient interaction based on awareness and attentional skills is essential in nursing home care. Thus, health care workers should be given the opportunity to further develop their knowledge and relational skills, in order to “refine” their way of being present together with residents in nursing homes. Health professionals’ competence involves the “being in the doing”; that is, both the doing and the way of being are essential in health and nursing care.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Cordes ◽  
Laura L. Bischoff ◽  
Daniel Schoene ◽  
Nadja Schott ◽  
Claudia Voelcker-Rehage ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Older adults, who are living in nursing homes that provide a high level of long-term nursing care, are characterized by multimorbidity and a high prevalence of dependency in activities of daily living. Results of recent studies indicate positive effects of structured exercise programs during long-term care for physical functioning, cognition, and psychosocial well-being. However, for frail elderly the evidence remains inconsistent. There are no evidence-based guidelines for exercises for nursing home residents that consider their individual deficits and capacities. Therefore, high-quality studies are required to examine the efficacy of exercise interventions for this multimorbid target group. The purpose of this study is to determine the feasibility and efficacy of a multicomponent exercise intervention for nursing home residents that aims to improve physical and cognitive functioning as well as quality of life. Methods A two-arm single-blinded multicenter randomized controlled trial will be conducted, including 48 nursing homes in eight regions of Germany with an estimated sample size of 1120 individuals. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a training or a waiting time control group. For a period of 16 weeks the training group will meet twice a week for group-based sessions (45–60 min each), which will contain exercises to improve physical functioning (strength, endurance, balance, flexibility) and cognitive-motor skills (dual-task). The intervention is organized as a progressive challenge which is successively adapted to the residents’ capacities. Physical functioning, cognitive performance, and quality of life will be assessed in both study groups at baseline (pre-test), after 16-weeks (post-treatment), and after 32-weeks (retention test, intervention group only). Discussion This study will provide information about the efficacy of a multicomponent exercise program in nursing homes (performance, recruitment). Results from this trial will contribute to the evidence of multicomponent exercises, which specifically focus on cognitive-motor approaches in the maintenance of mental and physical functioning. In addition, it will help to encourage older adults to actively engage in social life. Furthermore, the findings will lead to recommendations for health promotion interventions for frail nursing home residents. Trial registration The trial was prospectively registered at DRKS.de with the registration number DRKS00014957 on October 9, 2018.


2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vigdis Abrahamsen Grøndahl ◽  
Liv Berit Fagerli

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore potential differences in how nursing home residents rate care quality and to explore cluster characteristics. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional design was used, with one questionnaire including questions from quality from patients’ perspective and Big Five personality traits, together with questions related to socio-demographic aspects and health condition. Residents (n=103) from four Norwegian nursing homes participated (74.1 per cent response rate). Hierarchical cluster analysis identified clusters with respect to care quality perceptions. χ2 tests and one-way between-groups ANOVA were performed to characterise the clusters (p<0.05). Findings Two clusters were identified; Cluster 1 residents (28.2 per cent) had the best care quality perceptions and Cluster 2 (67.0 per cent) had the worst perceptions. The clusters were statistically significant and characterised by personal-related conditions: gender, psychological well-being, preferences, admission, satisfaction with staying in the nursing home, emotional stability and agreeableness, and by external objective care conditions: healthcare personnel and registered nurses. Research limitations/implications Residents assessed as having no cognitive impairments were included, thus excluding the largest group. By choosing questionnaire design and structured interviews, the number able to participate may increase. Practical implications Findings may provide healthcare personnel and managers with increased knowledge on which to develop strategies to improve specific care quality perceptions. Originality/value Cluster analysis can be an effective tool for differentiating between nursing homes residents’ care quality perceptions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramona Backhaus ◽  
Hilde Verbeek ◽  
Bram de Boer ◽  
Judith H. J. Urlings ◽  
Debby L. Gerritsen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background To protect nursing home residents, many governments around the world implemented blanket visitor bans in March and April 2020. As a consequence, family caregivers, friends, and volunteers were not allowed to enter nursing homes, while residents were not allowed to go out. Up until now, little is known on the long-term consequences and effects of visiting bans and re-opening of nursing homes. The aim of the study was to assess the long-term effects of the pandemic on residents, family members, and staff, and their preparedness for the next coronavirus wave. Methods A mixed-methods approach was used, consisting of a questionnaire and analyses of documentation (local visiting protocols). Of the 76 nursing home locations that participated in a Dutch national pilot on welcoming visitors back into nursing homes, 64 participated in this follow-up study. Data were collected in September/October 2020. For each nursing home, one contact person completed the questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were calculated for quantitative questionnaire data. Data on open-ended questions, as well as data from the documentation, were analyzed thematically. Results The study demonstrated that the consequences of strict visiting bans do not disappear at the moment the visiting ban is lifted. Although in October 2020, daily life in nursing homes was more “back to normal,” more than one-third of the respondents indicated that they still applied restrictions. Compared to the situation before the pandemic, fewer volunteers were working in the nursing homes, grandchildren visited their relative less often, and visits differed. Conclusions Five months after the visiting ban in Dutch nursing homes had been lifted, it still had an impact on residents, family members, and staff. It is questionable whether nursing homes feel prepared for welcoming visitors in the case of new COVID-19 infections. Nursing homes indicated that they felt prepared for the next wave, while at the same time, they were particularly concerned about staff well-being and vitality. It seems wise to invest in staff well-being. In addition, it seems desirable to think about how to support nursing homes in seeking a balance between infection prevention and well-being of residents, family members, and staff.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S779-S780
Author(s):  
Chanee D Fabius

Abstract Long-term services and supports (LTSS) are services provided to individuals with functional limitations and chronic conditions who need assistance to perform daily activities such as bathing, dressing, preparing meals, and administering medications, and can be provided in community settings via services such as home health, as well as institutions such as nursing homes. Racial disparities are persistent across systems of LTSS, with older adults of color receiving lower quality care and experiencing worse health outcomes than their white counterparts. Given the increasing diversity of the aging population, and the need to ensure equity in quality and health outcomes in LTSS, there is a greater need for more understanding of how experiences of care vary across multiple settings for diverse groups of older adults and the people who help them. This symposium will feature 5 presentations that provide novel insight regarding racial disparities in community- and institution-based LTSS. We focus on racial differences in functional needs and disparities among those receiving home health services and living in nursing homes. Individual presentations will describe 1) race and gender differences in physical functioning needs of older adults; 2) disparities in home health quality across racially diverse and low income geographic areas; 3) racial disparities in nursing home residents overtime; 4) racial and ethnic disparities in rates of 30-day rehospitalization from skilled nursing facilities among Medicare Fee-For-Service and Medicare Advantage patients; and 5) the impact of the unequal burden of care provided to minority nursing home residents by staff of color.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 385-385
Author(s):  
Xiuyan Lan ◽  
Huimin Xiao ◽  
Ying Chen

Abstract This study aimed to elicit psychosocial reactions to relocation to nursing homes from older adults’ perspectives with a qualitative interview design. Narratives from 23 Chinese nursing home residents from Fuzhou, China in a life review program were recorded, transcribed into sentences, and analyzed with the qualitative content analysis. It revealed five stages of psychosocial reactions to relocation to nursing homes as fear, struggle, compromise, acceptance, and contribution. The first stage resulted from negative labels attached to nursing homes, disconnection to the society, difficulties in establishing new relationships, and being abandoned by their families. The second stage described the behaviors of struggle: complain about family members, think of going back home, pray to have a change, and take action to leave. The third stage described the keys to compromise: choices between maintaining the harmony in family relation and companionship of relatives, choices between professional care and family care, and choices between costs and effects of family care and nursing home care. The fourth stage described how they accept nursing home life: accept the life and yet with worries, affirm benefits of living in nursing homes, and embrace the nursing home life. The last stage resulted from sense of ownership and giving full play to self-worth. This study generated new insights into the knowledge on psychosocial reactions to relocation to nursing homes and provided both family members and nursing home staff with a direction for how to promote a smoother relocation process.


Long-term care for older adults is highly affect by the COVID-19 outbreak. The objective of this rapid review is to understand what we can learn from previous crises or disasters worldwide to optimize the care for older adults in long term care facilities during the outbreak of COVID-19. We searched five electronic databases to identify potentially relevant articles. In total, 23 articles were included in this study. Based on the articles, it appeared that nursing homes benefit from preparing for the situation as best as they can. For instance, by having proper protocols and clear division of tasks and collaboration within the organization. In addition, it is helpful for nursing homes to collaborate closely with other healthcare organizations, general practitioners, informal caregivers and local authorities. It is recommended that nursing homes pay attention to capacity and employability of staff and that they support or relieve staff where possible. With regard to care for the older adults, it is important that staff tries to find a new daily routine in the care for residents as soon as possible. Some practical tips were found on how to communicate with people who have dementia. Furthermore, behavior of people with dementia may change during a crisis. We found tips for staff how to respond and act upon behavior change. After the COVID-19 outbreak, aftercare for staff, residents, and informal caregivers is essential to timely detect psychosocial problems. The consideration between, on the one hand, acute safety and risk reduction (e.g. by closing residential care facilities and isolating residents), and on the other hand, the psychosocial consequences for residents and staff, were discussed in case of other disasters. Furthermore, the search of how to provide good (palliative) care and to maintain quality of life for older adults who suffer from COVID-19 is also of concern to nursing home organizations. In the included articles, the perspective of older adults, informal caregivers and staff is often lacking. Especially the experiences of older adults, informal caregivers, and nursing home staff with the care for older adults in the current situation, are important in formulating lessons about how to act before, during and after the coronacrisis. This may further enhance person-centered care, even in times of crisis. Therefore, we recommend to study these experiences in future research.


Healthcare ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bram de Boer ◽  
Hanneke Beerens ◽  
Melanie Katterbach ◽  
Martina Viduka ◽  
Bernadette Willemse ◽  
...  

It is well recognized that the physical environment is important for the well-being of people with dementia. This influences developments within the nursing home care sector where there is an increasing interest in supporting person-centered care by using the physical environment. Innovations in nursing home design often focus on small-scale and homelike care environments. This study investigated: (1) the physical environment of different types of nursing homes, comparing traditional nursing homes with small-scale living facilities and green care farms; and (2) how the physical environment was being used in practice in terms of the location, engagement and social interaction of residents. Two observational studies were carried out. Results indicate that the physical environment of small-scale living facilities for people with dementia has the potential to be beneficial for resident’s daily life. However, having a potentially beneficial physical environment did not automatically lead to an optimal use of this environment, as some areas of a nursing home (e.g., outdoor areas) were not utilized. This study emphasizes the importance of nursing staff that provides residents with meaningful activities and stimulates residents to be active and use the physical environment to its full extent.


2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 57-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward H Wagner

Residents in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities comprise a large percentage of the deaths from Covid 19. Is this inevitable or are there problems with NHs and their care that increase the susceptibility of their residents. The first U.S. cluster of cases involved the residents, staff, and visitors of a Seattle-area nursing home. Study of this cluster suggested that infected staff members were transmitting the disease to residents. The quality of nursing home care has long been a concern and attributed to chronic underfunding and resulting understaffing. Most NH care is delivered by minimally trained nursing assistants whose low pay and limited benefits compel them to work in multiple long-term care settings, increasing their risk of infection, and work while ill. More comparative studies of highly infected long-term care facilities with those organizations that were able to better protect their residents are urgently needed. Early evidence suggests that understaffing of registered nurses may increase the risk of larger outbreaks.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katrin C. Reber ◽  
Ivonne Lindlbauer ◽  
Claudia Schulz ◽  
Kilian Rapp ◽  
Hans-Helmut König

Abstract Background A growing number of older people are care dependent and live in nursing homes, which accounts for the majority of long-term-care spending. Specific medical conditions and resident characteristics may serve as risk factors predicting negative health outcomes. We investigated the association between the risk of increasing care need and chronic medical conditions among nursing home residents, allowing for the competing risk of mortality. Methods In this retrospective longitudinal study based on health insurance claims data, we investigated 20,485 older adults (≥65 years) admitted to German nursing homes between April 2007 and March 2014 with care need level 1 or 2 (according to the three level classification of the German long-term care insurance). This classification is based on required daily time needed for assistance. The outcome was care level change. Medical conditions were determined according to 31 Charlson and Elixhauser conditions. Competing risks analyses were applied to identify chronic medical conditions associated with risk of care level change and mortality. Results The probability for care level change and mortality acted in opposite directions. Dementia was associated with increased probability of care level change compared to other conditions. Patients who had cancer, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, cardiac arrhythmias, renal failure, chronic pulmonary disease, weight loss, or recent hospitalization were more likely to die, as well as residents with paralysis and obesity when admitted with care level 2. Conclusion This paper identified risk groups of nursing home residents which are particularly prone to increasing care need or mortality. This enables focusing on these risk group to offer prevention or special treatment. Moreover, residents seemed to follow specific trajectories depending on their medical conditions. Some were more prone to increased care need while others had a high risk of mortality instead. Several conditions were neither related to increased care need nor mortality, e.g., valvular, cerebrovascular or liver disease, peripheral vascular disorder, blood loss anemia, depression, drug abuse and psychosis. Knowledge of functional status trajectories of residents over time after nursing home admission can help decision-makers when planning and preparing future care provision strategies (e.g., planning of staffing, physical equipment and financial resources).


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document