Perceptions of family and staff on the role of the environment in long-term care homes for people with dementia

Garcia, Linda; Hébert, Michèle; Kozak, Jean; Senécal, Isabelle; Slaughter, Sarah; Aminzadeh, Faranak; Dalziel, William B.; Charles, Jocelyn; Eliasziw, Misha

doi:10.1017/s1041610211002675

Cited by 39 publications

(44 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…The built environment represents the frame for these interactions and has little impact by themselves when not complemented with adequate personnel policy. In line with this finding, Garcia et al (2012) stated that human environments are perceived as more important than the physical environment; subsequently, the behaviour, competencies and attitude of the staff members seem to have the highest influence on residents' social interactions.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 64%

Social interactions of persons with dementia living in special care units in long-term care: A mixed-methods systematic review

et al. 2020

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Background Special care units are a well-utilized approach in the long-term care for persons with dementia. A therapeutic goal of such settings is to provide meaningful engagement and a sense of community that is crucial for the overall quality of life. In recent years, several studies followed this notion by investigating residents’ social interactions and the influence of the environment on these interactions. Aims This review aims to synthesize the literature on the social interactions of persons with dementia living in special care units. Design A mixed-methods systematic review was conducted. Methods Literature was searched in PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, the Cochrane Library and Web of Science databases. Additionally, reference lists of relevant articles were searched. Studies were screened, data were extracted and the quality was appraised. Separate syntheses were conducted for qualitative and quantitative studies, which were subsequently merged in the final mixed-methods synthesis. Results In total, 18 articles were included, investigating large-scale, small-scale and homelike special care units and green care farms. Residents in special care units experience few social interactions but more than those in the comparative groups. Opportunities to interact are only marginally seized. Interactions typically occur in small groups and are facilitated by familiarity and the organizational environment. Residents mainly rely on staff members to create social interaction, for example initiating or facilitating resident-to-resident interaction. Conclusion Although the evidence base is increasing, it is still fragmented and built on different concepts, interventions, control groups and measurements. Nevertheless, the first conclusions suggest a positive impact of special care units on residents’ social interactions. Although the review yielded a more comprehensive picture of residents’ social life, further high-quality research built on a sound theoretical background is needed.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 64%

Social interactions of persons with dementia living in special care units in long-term care: A mixed-methods systematic review

et al. 2020

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“…An emphasis on homelike decor is common among previous studies using interview techniques (Garcia et al, 2012). It is also previously recognised that although this topic is common it is reported as difficult for respondents to identify elements or features which contribute to this or examples of effects (Campo & Chaudhury, 2012).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Likewise, the everyday management of the environment affects its qualities alongside design decisions. The human environment has been previously found to have a greater effect than the physical environment (Garcia et al, 2012). Although the care regime or home culture may be seen as a possible separate determinant of observed effects, it is important to highlight the potential for the built environment to effect these factors themselves and therefore produce a secondary effect (Barnes, 2006).…”

Section: Contributions and Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effects of Built Environment Design on Opportunities for Wellbeing in Care Homes

McIntyre¹,

Harrison²

2017

ArchNet-IJAR

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“…The high turnover rates have a negative impact on the residents, especially if they have dementia, and can result in behavioral triggers. [23] Better and continual communication is therefore needed to improve the quality of care.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparative study of perceptions of family members to the end-of-life care in residential care facilities and hospitals in Tampere, Finland

Lehmus

Seinelä

Valvanne

2015

JHA

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Objective: Current trend in long-term care (LTC) is to bring the care to the place where the person lives and to avoid unnecessary transitions. The purpose of the study was to find out family members' opinions about the quality of end-of-life care in LTC compared to care in hospitals. Methods: A postal questionnaire was sent to the family members of 168 residents, who had died during the year 2012 in LTC in Tampere, southern Finland. Results: A total of 97 family members (58%) returned the questionnaire. Eighty-two percent of the residents suffered from dementia. Family members seemed to be more satisfied with the care if the resident had died in LTC. Family members reported that residents who had died in LTC were more often kept clean (80% vs. 55%; p = .020), their dignity was maintained more often (84% vs. 56%; p = .021) and their wishes considering their care were acknowledged better (82% vs. 50%; p = .033) compared to the residents that died in a hospital. Residents who died in LTC suffered also less from agitation (32% vs. 60%; p = .047). The trend in the prevalence of other signs and symptoms and the prevalence of non-palliative interventions was lower, if the resident had died in LTC. Conclusions: Family members perceived the quality of end-of-life care given in residential care facilities to be at least as good, or, in some cases, better than the quality of end-of-life care given in a hospital.

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Perceptions of family and staff on the role of the environment in long-term care homes for people with dementia

Cited by 39 publications

References 25 publications

Social interactions of persons with dementia living in special care units in long-term care: A mixed-methods systematic review

Social interactions of persons with dementia living in special care units in long-term care: A mixed-methods systematic review

The Effects of Built Environment Design on Opportunities for Wellbeing in Care Homes

Comparative study of perceptions of family members to the end-of-life care in residential care facilities and hospitals in Tampere, Finland

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