A qualitative study of older people with minimal care needs experiences of their admission to a nursing home with Registered Nurse care
Abstract
Purpose
Residential care for older people in the UK includes care homes with and without 24-hour Registered Nurse (RN) care. Reduced autonomy and personal wealth can result when people assessed as having minimal care needs, enter and reside in care homes with RN care. The purpose of this paper is to explore the experiences of older people with minimal care needs admission to care homes with RN care.
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative study using a grounded theory method was undertaken. In total, 12 care home with RN care residents assessed as not requiring nursing care were interviewed. Initial sampling was purposive and progressed to theoretical. Interviews were analysed using the grounded theory analysis method of constant comparison and theory development.
Findings
Two main categories emerged: “choosing the path”, which concerned the decision to enter the home, and “settling in”, which related to adaptation to the environment. Findings suggested participants who perceived they had greater control over the decision-making process found it easier to settle in the care home. The two categories linked to form an emerging framework of “crossing the bridge” from independent living to care home resident.
Research limitations/implications
The findings contribute to the understanding of factors influencing admission of older people with minimal care needs to care homes with RN care and highlight the importance of informed decision making.
Practical implications
Health and social care professionals must give informed support and advice to older people seeking care options to ensure their needs are best met.
Originality/value
This study enabled older people with minimal care needs admission to care homes with RN care to voice their experiences.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors are extremely grateful to the participants for sharing their experiences. The authors are also grateful to the care home managers, Professor Kathy Getliffe and the late Dr Janice Brown for their contribution to the study development.
Citation
Stevens, A.K., Raphael, H. and Green, S.M. (2015), "A qualitative study of older people with minimal care needs experiences of their admission to a nursing home with Registered Nurse care", Quality in Ageing and Older Adults, Vol. 16 No. 2, pp. 94-105. https://doi.org/10.1108/QAOA-09-2014-0020
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2015, Emerald Group Publishing Limited