Hostname: page-component-7c8c6479df-r7xzm Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-03-27T22:57:59.426Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Seniors' experiences of client-centred residential care

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 November 2001

JACQUIE EALES
Affiliation:
Department of Human Ecology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada

Abstract

The philosophy concerning long-term care for frail seniors has shifted from a provider-driven, medical model toward a more client-centred, social model. While this philosophy emphasises the decision-making abilities of clients and respect for their values and preferences, evidence suggests that there are difficulties in understanding and implementing the philosophy. Qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with residents of adult family living and assisted living programmes in western Canada to better understand the elements that residents themselves felt were integral to client-centred care.

Three main themes emerged from the data analysis: (1) the physical setting, people within the setting, and the community were important areas of expression of residents' values and preferences; (2) the decision about where to live influenced whether the residential care environment was congruent with residents' values and preferences; (3) contentment resulted when there was a good fit between preferences and experiences, reflecting the essence of residents' perspective of client-centred care. Choices among models of care, appropriate staffing levels and training, and recognition of family contributions may improve the practice of client-centred care.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 2001 Cambridge University Press

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)