Abstract
Self‐management by older persons could be influenced by the level of trust found in triads of informal carers, formal care providers and care recipient, the older person. Little research has been done on care providers’ trust in older persons. This study aims to explore the level of trust that informal carers and home care nurses have in older persons, the extent of alignment in triads and the relationship between trust in older persons and self‐management. We conducted a cross‐sectional survey study in the Netherlands, sampling 133 older persons, 64 informal carers and 72 nurses, which resulted in 39 triads. Alignment level was analysed through Intraclass Correlation Coefficient 1 scores and absolute and mean difference scores. Correlation analysis and one‐way analysis of variance measured the relationship between trust and self‐management. The results show that triads contain both alignment and misalignment. Misalignment occurs mostly when informal carers and nurses have little trust in the older person while this person views their own behaviour towards their caregivers positively. Care providers’ trust levels relate significantly to their perception of the person's ability to self‐manage, but not to the person's self‐rated ability. This could be explained by care providers not communicating their intrinsic trust in the older person to them. Trust building could be enhanced by organising discussions of mutual expectations of trust and both formal and informal care providers could benefit from compassionate assessment training, to learn how to openly express their trust in the older person.
Highlights
Today, older persons are increasingly expected to manage their own health care and life (Hengelaar et al, 2016)
This study shows that in triads of older persons, informal carers and home care nurses, perceptions can both align and misalign regarding the care providers’ level of trust in the older person and the person's view of their own behaviour
Most triads had misalignments, with informal carers or nurses having a lower level of trust in the person while the older persons viewed their own behaviour towards either care provider positively
Summary
Older persons are increasingly expected to manage their own health care and life (Hengelaar et al, 2016). Trust is a keystone in triads of older persons, informal carers and formal care providers (Hall, Zheng, et al, 2002; LoCurto & Berg, 2016; Pelaccia et al, 2016; Thorne & Robinson, 1988; Wiechula et al, 2016). Research shows that trust between older persons and their care providers is important for continuity of care, patient satisfaction and adherence to therapeutic recommendations (Brennan et al, 2013; Calnan & Rowe, 2008; Hall, Camacho, Dugan, & Balkrishnan, 2002; Kramer & Cook, 2004; LoCurto & Berg, 2016). | 1492 not think they are being sincere or honest in answering questions, whereas the older persons feel that they are
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