Research: support workers play vital role in dementia care
Schneider, Justine
Schneider, Justine
Abstract
An in-depth observational study of healthcare assistants (HCAs) in dementia wards set out to identify the workforce issues. The study found that healthcare assistants generally worked with compassion and found the caring role immensely satisfying. HCAs took responsibility for the ward atmosphere-emotional, social and environmental. HCAs thought their workplaces were understaffed on the whole and felt largely ignored and undervalued by members of the multidisciplinary team apart from the other direct-care staff. They coped with these problems by forming a close-knit team and supporting each other both on and off the ward. Looking beyond patient-centred care, employers should take into account other dynamics on the ward, notably those between staff members and between staff and relatives, as well as the patient-focused behaviours. ‘Relationshipcentred care’ might be a better description of the aim of the caring process.
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Date
2010
Type
Article
Subject
Nursing, Dementia, Nursing specialties
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Citation
Schneider, J. (2010). Research: support workers play vital role in dementia care. British Journal of Healthcare Assistants, 4 (10), pp.498-501.