Search

Purpose: The aim of this ethnographic study was to investigate how homecare workers support or inhibit independence in people living with dementia. Methods: We undertook 100 h of participant observations with homecare workers (n = 16) supporting people living with dementia (n = 17); and 82 qualitative interviews with people living with dementia (n = 11), family carers (n = 22), homecare managers and support staff (n = 11), homecare workers (n = 19) and health and social care professionals (n = 19). We triangulated data and analysed findings thematically. Results: We developed three themes: (1) independence and the home environment, highlighting ongoing negotiations between familiarity, suitability and safety for care; (2) independence and identity, exploring how homecare workers' understanding of their clients' identity can enable active participation in tasks and meaningful choices; and (3) independence and empowerment, considering the important position of homecare workers to advocate for clients living with dementia while navigating authoritative power amongst proxy decision-makers. Conclusion: We consider that person-centred care should also be home-centred, respecting the client's home as an extension of self. Homecare workers can use their understanding of clients' identities, alongside skills in providing choice and developing relationships of interdependence to engage clients in everyday tasks. Homecare workers are well placed to advocate for their client's voice within the care network, although their ability to do so is limited by their position within power structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Little to no research has evaluated staff training and its effects on the well-being of people with MND. The aim of this study was to assess how educating multi-disciplinary staff about psychosocial well-being in MND can change approaches to working with people with MND.Methods: Multi-disciplinary staff attended a half-day workshop to receive training on psychosocial well-being in people with MND and to discuss QoL issues using the World Café approach. Prior to the workshop and 2 weeks post-workshop, staff completed a questionnaire on their knowledge of this topic. A selection of staff completed a follow-up interview 2 months later to assess changes in their practice.Results: 19 staff, including dieticians and occupational therapists, attended the workshop and completed the pre-workshop questionnaire. Ten filled in the post-workshop questionnaire and were interviewed. Clinicians identified six strategies/barriers of improving communication amongst MND staff, suggesting the need for better collaborative working, raising awareness of psychological and emotional issues in MND and barriers to service access due to health inequalities, amongst others.Conclusions: This workshop raised staff awareness on communicating QoL in MND. Future work needs to look into implementing this training in clinical practice and evaluate their impact on QoL in MND. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]