Changes in nursing home residents during an innovation based on the theory of gerotranscendence

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate how residents were affected when an intervention based on the theory of gerotranscendence and guidelines derived from the theory was introduced in a nursing home. The notion that communication is essential in staff-resident interaction is widely accepted both in theory and practise, as is the notion that communicative behaviour influences patient outcomes. No studies as yet have focused on whether residents are influenced by staff use of guidelines derived from the theory of gerotranscendence. The study was explorative in nature and used a qualitative approach. Data were collected through interviews with residents and participant observations; qualitative content analysis was performed. six residents. The study shows that many residents reviewed and thought about their lives, and that this aspect changed during the study period. Some residents' descriptions of their situation revealed that certain changes in social life on the ward had occurred. These changes could be an effect of the intervention. For nurses working in gerontological care, it is a challenge to get to know and provide the best nursing care and individual treatment for each resident; this involves a holistic view helping residents in their ageing process. The use of guidelines derived from the theory of gerotranscendence could help nurses promote positive ageing and constitute one way of treating residents in a more individualized manner.