Persoonlijke vervulling bij verzorgenden

Abstract

Abstract

Title. Personal fulfilment by carers in small-scale living homes

Background. Researches on person centred care show that giving such care brings personal fulfilment to the carers. There is still little known in practice about the meaning of this personal fulfilment that carers experience.

Aim. Gaining insight into the personal fulfilment that carers experience.

Research question. What does the personal fulfilment mean to the carer who gives person centred care to demented elderly in a small-scale living home?

Method. Qualitative descriptive study using the empirical phenomenology. Twelve carers were purposefully selected. Inclusion criteria were: employment of at least 60%, experience with traditional nursing home care, at least one year experience with working in a small-scale living home. Data were collected by means of interviews and a group conversation with carers. The data obtained was analyzed by the method of Colaizzi. The quality of data collecting was guaranteed by digitization, using a diary and memos, member checking, interview training, and triangulation.

Results. Four themes came forward after analysis of all data. The carers mentioned personal fulfilment from: relationships, responsibility and autonomy, appreciation, and the small-scale living situation.

Conclusion. A new insight into the phenomenon of personal fulfilment is that working in small-scale living homes with the additional responsibility and autonomy contributes to personal fulfilment for carers.

Recommendations. For deeper exploration of the concept of personal fulfilment, further investigation is required at similar locations in other parts of the country.

Keywords. Client centred care, group living home, psycho geriatrics, personal accomplishment, experience