Abstract
AbstractThis paper presents the experiences of formal carers working in technology-enriched supported accommodation for people living with dementia, examining their care-giving role from a person-centred care perspective. Within a qualitative study, 21 semi-structured interviews were conducted with formal carers and data were analysed following a thematic approach. Four main themes were identified that mapped to the attributes of the person-centred practice framework (PCPF): promoting choice and autonomy, staffing model, using assistive technology and feeling that ‘you're doing a good job’. Central to person-centred practice in these settings was the promotion of choice, autonomy and independence. The dichotomy between safety and independence was evident, curtailing the opportunities within the environmental enablers and associated embedded assistive technologies. Formal carers reported considerable job satisfaction working in these settings. The small-scale, home-like facilities seemed to have a positive effect on job satisfaction. These findings are relevant to policy makers, commissioners and service providers, highlighting the facilitators of person-centred care in community dwellings for people living with dementia and the role of formal carers in promoting this approach.
Highlights
Dementia has become a significant public health challenge affecting more than 47 million people (World Health Organization (WHO), 2015)
While some research highlights the benefits of supported accommodation for people living with dementia in terms of availability of opportunities for social interaction (Evans et al, 2007), little is known about the level of knowledge and ability of formal carers to support and preserve basic principles of person-centred practice (PCP) such as choice and dignity, when assistive technology has been incorporated into the facilities
Setting and sample The study was conducted in all five Health and Social Care Trusts (HSCT)1 in a region of the United Kingdom (UK) where all facilities identified as providers of TESA for people
Summary
Dementia has become a significant public health challenge affecting more than 47 million people (World Health Organization (WHO), 2015). While some research highlights the benefits of supported accommodation for people living with dementia in terms of availability of opportunities for social interaction (Evans et al, 2007), little is known about the level of knowledge and ability of formal carers to support and preserve basic principles of PCP such as choice and dignity, when assistive technology has been incorporated into the facilities. This concerns the following: (a) the relevance of the technology to specific needs; (b) the involvement of the person in the identification of needs; and (c) the management of ethical issues, such as loss of autonomy and privacy, and the difficulties in gaining informed consent when the person living with dementia does not understand or is unaware of the technology (Meiland et al, 2017)
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