Exploratory investigation of communication management in residential‐aged care: a comparison of staff knowledge, documentation and observed resident–staff communication

Bennett, Michelle; Ward, Elizabeth C.; Scarinci, Nerina

doi:10.1111/1460-6984.12207

Cited by 17 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…However, in reality life‐story work requires little additional time and consideration needs to be given to what we prioritise, as the issue is not the amount of time available but how it is used (Bakken et al., ). This has to be considered in the context that aged care settings can often be task‐oriented thereby limiting opportunities to engage in meaningful conversations (Bennett, Ward, & Scarinci, ). However, life‐story work must be given greater importance (Bakken et al., ) especially in light of the fact that Dugmore, Orrell, and Spector () in their systematic review found that staff viewed psychological interventions including life‐story work, as not being “real work.”…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Life‐story work in long‐term care facilities for older people: An integrative review

Doran¹,

Noonan

Doody

2018

Journal of Clinical Nursing

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Aim To systematically review the literature regarding the experience of older people, families and staff using life‐story work in residential care facilities for older people. Background Life‐story work has been promoted as an approach to enhance care provided and involves collecting memories and moments that are important to the person assisting them to regain their sense of self. Design An integrative review utilising the PRISMA reporting guidelines where seven databases, Scopus, EMBASE, CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsychInfo, PsychARTICLES, and Cochrane, were searched within the timeframe; 1 January 2006 to 14 March 2016. Data were reviewed using Whittemore and Knalf's (Journal of Advanced Nursing, 2005, 52:546) methodological approach for integrative reviews. Analysis was conducted utilising Braun and Clarke's (Qualitative Research in Psychology, 2006, 3:77) six phases to identify, analyse and record themes within the data. Results Thirteen articles were reviewed, and the review found that life‐story work has been introduced using a range of different approaches, with no common approach. Thematic analysis identified two: maintaining identity and building and maintaining relationships. Conclusion The review extends the current evidence on the experience of using life‐story work in long‐term aged care facilities for older people. Life‐story work has the potential to enhance person‐centred care in long‐term care. However, improving the process of implementation of life‐story work will require education, time and resources and a commitment from service providers and managers. Relevance to clinical practice Staff who undertake life‐story work with residents need to be equipped with the skills to recognise and manage the challenges and issues that may potentially arise. Further research into the successful implementation of life‐story work and how it can be resourced is required.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Life‐story work in long‐term care facilities for older people: An integrative review

Doran¹,

Noonan

Doody

2018

Journal of Clinical Nursing

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“…In progressing CDC in this setting, communication between residents and care staff (resident–staff communication) will, therefore, be critical in achieving shared decision‐making and care planning. Existing studies, however, indicate resident–staff communication is largely task focussed with person‐centred and interpersonal communication for the purpose of getting to know the resident, understanding residents’ views, fostering residents’ sense of self and independence being far less common (Bennett, Ward, & Scarinci, ; Levy‐Storms, Claver, Gutierrez, & Curry, ; Savundranayagam, ). This communication dynamic exists between residents and staff despite aged care staff acknowledgement that effective resident–staff communication is critical to staff ability to develop positive relationships with residents and provide high quality, efficient, individualised care (Bennett, Ward, Scarinci, & Waite, ; Forsgren, Skott, Hartelius, & Saldert, ; Savundranayagam, Sibalija, & Scotchmer, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Resident perceptions of opportunity for communication and contribution to care planning in residential aged care

Bennett

Treuer

McCabe

et al. 2019

Int J Older People Nursing

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Background and Aim Irrespective of age, communication is a tool of expression and a key daily activity meeting the human need for social interaction and connection. The introduction of consumer‐directed care (CDC) emphasises the importance of communication to provide consumers with the opportunity to exercise choice over the care they receive. As consumer‐directed care progresses, it is hypothesised that the feasibility of shared decision‐making and care planning in residential aged care will be largely determined by the communication opportunities afforded to the residents. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore resident perceptions of the opportunities they have to communicate, including the opportunity to express their care preferences and contribute opinions about their care. Design A qualitative inductive design was adopted. Methods An individual interview format was used to gather the perspectives of 102 residents. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis to generate themes illustrating patterns in participant views. Findings Overall, residents desired increased involvement in their care planning and increased opportunity for more meaningful communication and social opportunities. Residents described the negative impact of the communication difficulties they face on their communication and the need for support and activities to be tailored to residents' individual communication needs. Conclusions To facilitate resident participation in CDC and meet resident desire for increased social communication, further investment in resources to support resident–staff communication and accommodate residents’ individual communication needs is required. Implications for Practice By highlighting communication as a stand‐alone activity and a priority of residents, the findings of this study raise the profile of communication and demonstrate the need for explicit allocation of care time and specialist services to support resident–staff communication and social communication in residential aged care. Such support must be tailored to meet residents’ individual communication needs and be coupled with increased staff training in providing communication support. Without facilitating resident communication and increasing the opportunity to communicate, shared decision‐making and care planning in residential aged care consistent with person‐centred and consumer‐directed models of care will be limited.

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“…Carers' interpersonal communication has been well-documented as an integral component of person-centred care. Notwithstanding the significance of non-verbal communication, verbal communication is extensively used in residential aged care as speech and conversational exchange (Bennett et al, 2016;Kristensen et al, 2017). Research has demonstrated the essential role of carers' person-centred communication for promoting dignity (Woolhead et al, 2006;Ostaszkiewicz et al, 2020), emotional support (Hafskjold et al, 2017) and personalised aged care (Hamiduzzaman et al, 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Research has demonstrated the essential role of carers' person-centred communication for promoting dignity (Woolhead et al, 2006;Ostaszkiewicz et al, 2020), emotional support (Hafskjold et al, 2017) and personalised aged care (Hamiduzzaman et al, 2020). Conversely, areas of concern regarding the management of verbal communication practices in aged care have been identified, including inadequate meaningful verbal communication (Bennett et al, 2016), a deprioritisation of social oriented conversation (Ludlow et al, 2020), a pressure on carers to complete tasks (Buckley, 2018) and limited interpersonal connection (Malins et al, 2004). such as the use of appropriate language or humour (Ostaszkiewicz et al, 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Contextual factors influencing talk in Australian residential aged care

Scerri

Presbury

2021

JHOM

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PurposeThis paper offers an exploration of contextual factors that influence carer-to-resident talk in Australian residential aged care.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative exploratory multiple case study methodology and a theoretical framework of service language were applied to explore the perspectives of 21 registered nurses, assistants in nursing, leisure and lifestyle officers, general managers and care managers at three residential aged care homes in Australia.FindingsThe findings demonstrate contextual factors related to the care home environment, the carer and the relationship between carers and residents that impede or enable carer-to-resident talk in residential aged care. Multiple factors related to the care home environment were found to impede carer-to-resident talk, including time pressures, staffing levels, team culture and the prioritisation of tasks. Factors related to carers had potential to either impede or enable talk, including carers' awareness of the importance of communication, level of experience and individual characteristics, values and attitudes. A strong relationship between a carer and resident built on knowledge of individuals was a key enabling factor.Originality/valueThe paper advances an understanding of factors that influence talk and interaction in residential aged care in Australia from carers' and care home leaders' perspectives. The findings can be used to support verbal communication management strategies aligned with a person-centred care approach, including training and development of staff, cultural change interventions and a review of care delivery procedures.

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Exploratory investigation of communication management in residential‐aged care: a comparison of staff knowledge, documentation and observed resident–staff communication

Cited by 17 publications

References 23 publications

Life‐story work in long‐term care facilities for older people: An integrative review

Life‐story work in long‐term care facilities for older people: An integrative review

Resident perceptions of opportunity for communication and contribution to care planning in residential aged care

Contextual factors influencing talk in Australian residential aged care

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