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From Institution to ‘Home’: Family Perspectives on a Unique Relocation Process*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 May 2011

Darlene Hutchings ,
Judith J.L. Wells ,
Kelli O’Brien ,
Carla Wells ,
Anna Marie Alteen  and
Leslie J. Cake
Darlene Hutchings*
Affiliation:
Western Regional Integrated Health Authority
Judith J.L. Wells
Affiliation:
Western Regional School of Nursing
Kelli O’Brien
Affiliation:
Western Regional Integrated Health Authority
Carla Wells
Affiliation:
Western Regional School of Nursing
Anna Marie Alteen
Affiliation:
Western Regional School of Nursing
Leslie J. Cake
Affiliation:
Grenfell Campus of Memorial University
*
†Correspondence and requests for offprints should be sent to / La correspondance et les demandes de tirés-à-part doivent être adressées à: Darlene Hutchings, MHS Western Regional Integrated Health Authority P.O. Box 2005 Corner Brook, NL. A2H 6J7 (darlenehutchings@westernhealth.nl.ca)
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Abstract

This hermeneutic phenomenological study provided insight into the experiences of family members of residents diagnosed with mild to moderate dementia who were relocated from institutional-based care to a unique assisted-living environment. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 family members, and six themes emerged: (a) ongoing communication, (b) relief and contentment, (c) meaningful activities, (d) enhanced environment, (e) improved functioning, and (f) engaged staff. These findings have significant implications for care delivery and future program planning in caring for residents with special needs. Above all, we can conclude that client-centered care results in positive outcomes for residents and family members.

Résumé

Cette étude phénoménologique et herméneutique a donné un aperçu des expériences des membres des familles des résidents qui ont été diagnostiqués d’une démence légère à modérée et qui ont été déménagés de leur institution de soins dans une résidence medicalisée unique. Des entrevues semi-dirigées ont été realisées avec 10 membres de la famille, dont six thèmes ont émergé : (a) la communication en cours, (b) de secours et de contentement, (c) des activités significatives, (d) un environnement amélioré, (e) le fonctionnement amélioré, et (f) le personnel engagé. Ces résultats ont des implications importantes pour la prestation des soins et la planification des programmes futurs dans les soins aux résidents ayant des besoins spéciaux. Surtout, nous pouvons conclure que les résultats axés sur le client des soins produit des résultats positifs pour les résidents et les membres des familles.

Keywords

résidence médicaliséedéménagementphénoménologiemembres des famillesdémenceassisted livingrelocationphenomenologyfamily membersdementia
Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement , Volume 30 , Issue 2 , June 2011 , pp. 223 - 232
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 2011

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Footnotes

*

The researchers thank the family members for sharing their stories and providing insight into their personal experiences of relocation. The researchers also acknowledge the financial assistance of Western Health and the in-kind support provided by the Western Regional School of Nursing and by the Grenfell Campus of Memorial University. Kelli O’Brien was a recipient of the Canadian Health Services Research Foundation’s Executive Training for Research Fellowship, and this research was completed in partial fulfilment of this program.

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