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Cited by 9Dementia and Cognitive Impairment ResearchPatient-Provider Communication in HealthcareGeriatric Care and Nursing Homes

Communication in home care: Understanding the lived experiences of formal caregivers communicating with persons living with dementia

Kamalraj, Pabiththa, Savundranayagam, Marie Y., Orange, J. B., Kloseck, Marita·2021·International Journal of Older People Nursing
DOI 10.1111/opn.12401
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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Little is known about formal caregivers' lived experiences communicating with persons living with dementia (PLWD) who live in their own homes. Most information comes from research conducted in long-term care settings or home care settings involving family care partners. Yet, there are expected needs and rising demands for formal caregivers to provide support within clients' homes. OBJECTIVES: Accordingly, this study aimed to understand the lived experiences of personal support workers (PSWs) regarding their communication with PLWD who live in their own homes. METHODS: The study was grounded in a hermeneutic phenomenological research approach. Data were collected as part of the Be EPIC project, an evidence-informed, person-centred communication intervention for PSWs caring for PLWD. One, in-depth semi-structured interview was conducted with each of the PSWs (N = 15). Thematic analysis was completed on the interviews. RESULTS: Three major themes emerged: (1) Challenged by dementia-related impairments; (2) Valuing communication in care; and (3) Home is a personal space. Findings revealed that PSWs experience difficulties communicating with PLWD because of dementia-related impairments, despite PSWs recognizing the importance of communication when they provide optimal care in the homes of PLWD. This suggests that PSWs view communication as a crucial component of quality care but do not possess the skills necessary to ensure effective interactions. Findings also demonstrated the importance, uniqueness and impact of the personal home space on PSWs' experiences with communication. CONCLUSION: Overall, findings indicate that PSWs acknowledge the importance of communication as an integral element of providing optimal care, but dementia-related impairments and the intimate, personal home-based care context can hinder successful communication between PSWs and PLWD. The implications of the findings are that additional and targeted education and training are required for PSWs, especially on how dementia-related impairments impact communication within the context of home care based services for PLWD.

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  • Personal support workers identify person-centred approaches as essential to quality dementia home care, but time constraints, task-oriented models of care, and limited training make it challenging to deliver a high standard of care.

    “Recent study findings found that PSWs can identify person-centred approaches to care as essential to quality dementia home care; however, time constraints, task-oriented models of care, and limited training make it challenging to deliver a high standard of care [16,42].”

    From Towards defining quality in home care for persons living with dementia (2022) · cites this paper as [42]

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Authors
Kamalraj, P., Savundranayagam, M. Y., Orange, J. B., & Kloseck, M.
Affiliations
Western University (CA)
Corresponding author
Savundranayagam, Marie Y.
ORCID
Venue
International Journal of Older People Nursing
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2021-08
Volume
16
Issue
6
Pages
e12401-e12401
ISSN
  • 1748-3735 (ISSN-L)
  • 1748-3743
DOI
10.1111/opn.12401
OpenAlex
W3189864392
Cited by
9
References
24
Citations by year
2025: 3 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 3
FWCI
1.08
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor)
Locations
  • International Journal of Older People Nursing (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
Fahs-Beck Fund for Research and Experimentation
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Patient-Provider Communication in Healthcare
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Geriatric Care and Nursing Homes
Keywords
dementia, person-centred communication, personal support workers, professional caregivers, home care, lived experience, caregiver education
MeSH terms
Communication, Dementia, Home Care Services, Humans, Caregivers

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