Attitudes towards dignity of risk in older people: A survey following a short narrative film.

Abstract

To evaluate aged care staff's 'willingness to help an older person with risk-taking activities' that improve quality of life ('dignity of risk'). Opportunity-based cross-sectional anonymous electronic survey in four Australian jurisdictions, conducted immediately after screening a short animated narrative film describing 'dignity of risk'. Survey comprised nine questions including respondent demographics, professional role, risk-taking and outcome. From 24 separate screenings, there were 929 respondents. Agreement to 'help an older person with risk-taking activities' was associated with respondent prediction of the least severe harm occurring (OR=2.22 [1.20, 4.12], P=.001). Conversely, respondents in non-executive, non-managerial roles-that is, nurses and care workers-were unlikely to agree to help with risk-taking activities (OR 0.36-0.49, P≤.03). There was not an association with respondent's age grouping (P=.6). Staff self-reported attitudes towards dignity of risk are important to understand to enhance in an older person's quality of life.