The experiences and needs of frail older people receiving home health care: A qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Due to the rapid ageing of the population, there is increasing demand for long-term care in the people's home environment. Such care aims to allow the people to stay at home and avoid hospitalisation or other institutional care. In home health care, care must be provided at the highest possible quality, with the focus on the people's needs and experiences. OBJECTIVES: This study explores the experiences and needs of frail older people receiving home health care. DESIGN AND METHODS: An exploratory descriptive qualitative approach was chosen. Audio-taped semi-structured interviews were conducted with fifteen older people receiving home health care. A content analysis was used to analyse the data collected. RESULTS: The content analysis identified one main theme, three categories and seven subcategories related to frail older people's needs and experiences of home health care. The main theme was quality of care. The first category, Safe and Secure Care, consisted of three subcategories: Education and Experience of Nurses, Information, and Continuity of Care in terms of personnel continuity and regular care. The second category, Autonomy, contained two subcategories: Decision-making and Self-sufficiency. The last category, Relationship with Professionals, consisted of two subcategories: Personality of Nurse and Partnerships. CONCLUSION: Older people are able to express their satisfaction or dissatisfaction with home health care. The results of this study revealed that the quality of care is crucial for frail older people. IMPLICATION FOR PRACTICE: The provision of home health care is inherently highly specific; home care nurses should work to provide the highest possible quality of care. In particular, nurses should focus on ensuring that the care they provide is safe, effective, timely, efficient and person-centred.

The needs of older people receiving home care: a scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Most people in a state of illness or reduced self-sufficiency wish to remain in their home environment. Their physiological needs, and their psychological, social, and environmental needs, must be fully met when providing care in their home environment. The aim of this study is to provide an overview of the self-perceived needs of older people living with illness or reduced self-sufficiency and receiving professional home care. METHODS: A scoping review of articles published between 2009 and 2018 was conducted by searching six databases and Google Scholar. Inductive thematic analysis was used to analyze data from the articles retrieved. RESULTS: 15 articles were included in the analysis. Inductive thematic analysis identified six themes: coping with illness; autonomy; relationship with professionals; quality, safe and secure care; role in society; environment. CONCLUSION/DISCUSSION: Older home care patients living with chronic illness and reduced self-sufficiency are able to express their needs and wishes. Care must, therefore, be planned in line with recipients' needs and wishes, which requires a holistic approach.

The needs of older patients in hospital care: a scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Research into care for older patients in the hospital environment has become an increasingly valuable source of information, as it gives feedback on the quality of hospital care provided. The aim of this study is to provide a comprehensive overview of the self-reported needs of older people in hospital care. METHODS: The scoping review was conducted by searching the following databases: Medline, Web of Science, ProQuest Central, Scopus, Cinahl, PsycINFO and Summon. RESULTS: The search identified articles focusing on older people in hospital care. The majority of these articles address the system and quality of care for seniors at a somewhat general and theoretical level. Met and unmet needs were assessed by a variety of test methods focusing mainly on medical issues (e.g., Mini-Nutritional Assessment, ADLs-activities of daily living, Abbey Pain Scale) and mostly from the perspective of hospital staff, carers and relatives. Only 15 articles used assessments based on information and opinions obtained from the seniors themseAbstract_Paralves (self-reported needs). A thematic analysis revealed seven main themes: conduct and care in emergency departments, dignity, nutritional care, satisfaction of patients' needs, pain, caring with respect, decision-making and spiritual needs. CONCLUSION/DISCUSSION: The results of this scoping review suggest that more attention should be focused on information acquired from the patients themselves, as it is only the patient, however, old or frail, who can offer an accurate perspective on met or unmet needs and the quality of care provided.