Promoting resident thriving in nursing homes: A qualitative study

J Adv Nurs. 2024 Apr 25. doi: 10.1111/jan.16206. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

Aim: To explore how staff promote resident thriving in an Australian nursing home.

Design: Qualitative research design using content analysis.

Methods: Interviews were held with 14 nursing staff working in an Australian nursing home in March/April 2018. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis.

Results: Four themes were revealed: promoting personalized care; promoting opportunities for autonomy; promoting connection and meaning; and promoting a curated environment.

Conclusions: Staff promoted resident thriving in relation to everyday care, activities, capabilities, relationships and the lived environment. Interventions that were perceived to promote thriving were described relative to the nurse, the resident, the care team and the wider nursing home context.

Implications for the profession and/or patient care: The findings provide novel insight into the understanding and application of the concept of thriving in long‐term care from nursing staffs' perspective.

Impact: What Problem did the Study Address? Nursing home staff are uniquely positioned to support resident thriving through person‐centred care, yet little is known about how staff support promotion of thriving for nursing home residents in their everyday practice. What were the Main Findings? Nursing home staff perceived that they promoted thriving by personalizing care and supporting autonomy, connection, meaning and pleasure for residents. Where and on Whom will the Research have an Impact? These findings are of interest for the clinicians, educators and researchers who develop, implement and evaluate interventions to improve place‐related well‐being in nursing homes.

Reporting method: CORE‐Q checklist.

Patient or public contribution: No patient or public contribution occurred for this study as this research focused on exploring staffs' perspectives from the specific viewpoint of their personal experience.