The academic background of gerontologists and client satisfaction in long-term residential care for older persons

Abstract

In contemporary Western societies, the aging population poses new challenges both to the policies and to the support systems for older persons. In Portugal, where the phenomena have a major impact, a new professional profile, the gerontologist, has emerged. These professionals have an academic background that corresponds to the 1st cycle degree at Higher Schools and is specifically oriented to the care of older persons. This study aimed to analyze the performance of the gerontologist as a Longterm Residential Care (LRTC) manager in comparison to other professionals. A total of 160 older persons living in Portuguese LRTCs were questioned about their satisfaction in regard to the effectiveness of organization, environmental/structural factors, empathy with employees, occupational activities, and participation in the decision-making process. The client's satisfaction questionnaire covered 30 items, and each item was rated on a 5-point Likert scale. The older persons were classified as less satisfied or more satisfied according to the median value of the scale score. The older persons from LTRCs managed by a gerontologist are more likely to be more satisfied with provided care. This association was not explained by residents' characteristics nor by the older persons' circumstances as residents. These findings highlight the appropriateness of gerontologist skills in managing LTRCs.

Impacto da covid-19 em idosos institucionalizados em estruturas residenciais para pessoas idosas

“…Cuidados adaptados à necessidade dos idosos, permitindo as interações sociais e atividades ocupacionais diversificadas, mas também a comunicação, informação e participação na tomada de decisão (Pereira et al, 2019). A qualidade é avaliada através do nível de satisfação do utente (ou seus familiares), deve ser monitorizada ao longo do tempo de forma a perceber fragilidades que comprometam a satisfação do utente e, por conseguinte, a qualidade da instituição (Falcão, Pereira, Pimentel, Teixeira & Rodrigues, 2017).…”

“…O envelhecimento é ainda mais acentuado em municípios do interior do país onde a proporção de idosos ultrapassa um terço da população (Instituto Nacional de Estatística, 2020). Uma verdadeira questão social na medida em que há fortes constrangimentos logísticos, financeiros e de recursos humanos no apoio a tão grande número de idosos para cumprir os critérios de qualidade com base no modelo Person Centered Care (Falcão, Pereira, Pimentel, Teixeira, & Rodrigues, 2017).…”

Personal centered care in long term residences: how to evaluate client satisfaction?

“…For the purpose of the present research we used the baseline data from a cross-sectional study described elsewhere (Falcão, Pereira, Pimentel, Teixeira, & Rodrigues, 2016). Briefly, fourteen LTC owned by different entities (nine private and five non-profit organizations) were sampled in three geographically spread areas in Portugal between March and May 2014.…”