“Not just grapes and flowers”: older people's perspectives on the role and importance of hospital visiting

Abstract

PurposeThis paper aims to present findings from a service user controlled research project; essentially it seeks to provide commentary by older people on their experiences as visitors to hospital or as patients receiving visitors.Design/methodology/approachThe method of data collection was to facilitate discussions (focus groups) with diverse older people at eight different locations in North Lancashire and South Cumbria. They were asked about their recent experience of hospital visiting and its value to them, given their individual circumstances and those prevailing at the hospitals.FindingsFrom verbatim transcripts the authors identified particular concerns or vivid experiences of individuals that were interpreted and classified into common themes such as: getting there and back; on the ward; the value of visiting.Research limitations/implicationsThe project maximised the participation of older people at all stages of the research process.Practical implicationsThe paper makes recommendations for practice that could improve hospital visiting for older people, and consequently their wellbeing, including: times and rules for visitors; the response they get from staff; the potential of older visitors to help improve the welfare of the older patient; locating older people's wards.Originality/valueThe literature of hospital visiting hardly refers to older people's experience; however some articles of general application suggest that visitors' needs are not always being met. The findings from the perspectives of older people broadly confirm this conclusion.