The ecosystem of human capital in care homes.

Introduction: This qualitative study addresses the essential yet often overlooked experiences of knowledge transfer within care homes (CH). Conducted in a Slovenian CH in 2020 and 2023, participants, including CH management, staff, and residents with their relatives, shared perceptions of knowledge transfer at various levels. The study aims to explore barriers and facilitators for knowledge transfer crucial for creating new knowledge, services, and enhancing care quality for older individuals. Methods: Structured focus group interviews were conducted, and data were collected within the CH. The participants' insights into knowledge transfer were probed, covering various dimensions such as between individuals, groups, organizations, and the community. Transcriptions of recorded interviews were analyzed using content analysis. Results: Knowledge transfer within the CH was facilitated through continuous training, diverse communication channels, and mentoring. Collaboration with relatives improved understanding of resident preferences, habits, and overall enhanced the quality of care. This collaborative effort allowed mutual learning and knowledge transfer from the CH to the broader community. Despite potential benefits, there is an underutilization of information and communication technology, e-care, and untapped potential for partnerships, partly due to the scarcity of care. Barriers were identified in the form of stereotypical attitudes towards aging and care, further reinforced by negative news coverage on older people's care. Conclusion: The multidimensional nature of knowledge in CH centers on resident well-being, emphasizing three key aspects of knowledge transfer: between staff and residents, staff and residents' families, and between the CH and the community. In the context of age management, creating opportunities for knowledge transfer is crucial, emphasizing a transition from traditional institutional care to an approach prioritizing knowledge about quality care. and involving experts from experiences in care process.

Older adults' perceptions of online physical exercise management.

The study addresses the challenges of digitally transforming physical exercises for older adults (aged more than 55 years) to be performed in virtual environments (during the COVID-19 pandemic) as a long-term proactive strategic initiative in response to the global ageing society and technological development trend. A focus group with a sample of 24 older adults and three trainers were used as part of a 3-month physical exercise pilot conducted by the Jozef Stefan Institute to identify the skills and well-being gained and identify factors that influence success with online exercises for older adults on the individual and organisational levels. First, on the individual level, communication differences were identified when comparing face-to-face exercises with online exercises. Second, on the organisational level, the study identified several challenges arising from the digital transformation of exercises (i.e., onboarding, technical, structural, isolation and motivational). Finally, recommendations are proposed to transform older adults' exercises when performed in a virtual environment. The study results can also benefit health management practices and theory in the work environment to ensure that older workers can still utilise their strengths to perform successfully while remaining healthy. Online physical exercises tailored to older adults' needs and specifications could be provided as part of corporate wellness programmes in organisations.

Nutrition and Congruent Care Improve Wellbeing of Residents With Dementia in Slovenian Care Homes.

Introduction: Current nutritional strategies for people with dementia focus on nutritional diets and regimens, although in recent years congruent care for people with dementia has been increasingly recognized to improve their wellbeing. This includes consistency of care, respecting the variability of psycho-sociological factors, emphasizing the importance of participation in activities, and congruence with the individual's needs and capabilities. When applied to the nutritional aspects of care, it aims to empower people with dementia to have an active role in their care and during meals. Congruent care has previously shown promising results in improving the quality of life of residents, reducing the incidence of negative social interactions and daily intake of medicines. Methods: A mixed methods qualitative-quantitative study was carried out. Out of 102 residential care homes for the elderly in Slovenia, a non-random sample of homes was selected. Seven homes that have implemented congruent care and five who have not implemented it agreed to participate. Content analysis of the transcripts of focus group interviews was carried out, to establish how the congruent care model was included into their everyday practice of care for people with dementia. Qualitative comparative analysis was used to describe the differences in the practice of care between the two groups of homes, in the fields of nutritional and general care. Frequencies and assigned importance of statements relating to different aspects of nutritional care were statistically compared. Results: The introduction of congruent care improved the wellbeing of the people with dementia, as observed by caregivers. The homes that had implemented congruent care gave more attention to the food choice aspects of nutritional care (p = 0.0474, 95%CICongruent = 50.77-72.35%, 95%CINon-congruent = 27.65-49.23%), while the homes that had not were more attentive to the dietary intake aspects (p = 0.0067, 95%CICongruent = 22.79-44.74%, 95%CINon-congruent = 55.26-77.21%). In the homes for the elderly that had implemented congruent care, both caregivers and management reported that the frequency of use of pro re nata medication decreased, which is supported by the results of the linear regression ( R 2 adjusted =78.4, p = 0.005), although the data available is limited. Conclusion: First, the people with dementia in the care homes that had implemented congruent care were observed to have improved in mood, attitudes toward eating and wellbeing, as reported by caregivers. Second, the implementation of congruent care was well received by the management and caregivers of the care homes. A model of implementation of congruent nutritional care for people with dementia is presented.

The impact of knowledge management on the quality of services in nursing homes.

Introduction: Current management strategies in nursing homes (NH) aim to ensure effective knowledge management (KM) in order to provide both best possible services to residents, and care for staff in NH. Teamwork in NH is essential for effective delivery of the highest quality of services. As a result, NH are increasingly adopting KM activities to enable knowledge creation, storage, transfer, and implementation in an environment facing many challenges such as lack of staff, increasing demands, and expectations of residents. Methods: In our quantitative study, we examined how two Slovenian state NH that adopted the E-Qalin quality management model (European quality-improving learning model) adapted their KM, and what impact their quality management system and KM activities actually have on the quality of services. Furthermore, we examined how two Slovenian private NH that have not adopted a certified quality management program (like ISO or E-Qalin) tackle the issue of quality of services from the KM perspective. The sample consisted of 80 nursing professionals. In every NH that is part of this study, teamwork is essential and every individual that was involved in our survey is part of a team. In our study, we analyzed relationships between individual variables using linear regression. Results: We found a significant and positive relationship between knowledge creation, transfer, and implementation in NH with and without the E-Qalin certificate. We found a significant and positive relationship between knowledge storage and the quality of services only in NH without a E-Qualin certificate. It seems that when connecting multidisciplinary fields such as NH and KM, there is still a lack of awareness and knowledge on the topic of KM, which might be one of the reasons for some bias in the answers provided by respondents. We also found different teamwork approaches in NH with and without a E-Qalin certificate. Our research results therefore emphasize the need to gain additional insight into quality management and KM in the environment of NH. Conclusion: Teamwork based on knowledge storage, transfer, the implementation of existing knowledge, and creation of new knowledge are essential for well-trained professionals and, as a result, contribute to continuous improvement in service quality. Implementation of KM is well received by NH, and enables them to better meet the needs and expectations of residents. More importantly, nursing staff also share and pass on tacit knowledge through teamwork. Finally, all of the NH in our study that implemented quality and KM activities noted an improvement in the quality of services that are offered to residents in practice. Our results indicate that the topic of KM in NH is interesting, and it has a positive impact on the quality of services in practice. However, the problem of awareness and knowledge on the topic of KM in the environment of NH still exists, highlighting the need for further research, additional insight, and dissemination of knowledge to every interested stakeholder functioning in the field of NH. The results of the study make an important contribution to the research of KM in NH, focusing on the transfer of tacit knowledge.