Experiences of health care personnel with promoting a sense of home for older adults living in residential care facilities: a qualitative systematic review

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this review was to evaluate the experiences of health care personnel with promoting a sense of home for older adults living in residential care facilities.

Introduction: Moving to a residential care facility represents a critical moment for older adults. It disrupts the continuity of their lives and distances them from significant people and objects. Health care personnel working in residential care facilities can help create a sense of home for residents. There is a lack of qualitative reviews reporting health care personnel's experiences with promoting a sense of home for older adults living in residential care settings.

Inclusion criteria: Qualitative studies exploring the experiences of health care personnel with promoting a sense of home for people aged 65 and older living in residential care facilities, including, but not limited to, nursing homes, residential care homes, retirement homes, assisted-living facilities, and skilled nursing facilities were included in the review.

Methods: This review followed a meta-aggregation approach according to JBI methodology for systematic reviews of qualitative evidence. PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, Scopus, Web of Science, and ILISI databases were searched, as well as Google Scholar, OpenGrey, and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global. Studies published in English, Italian, French, Portuguese, or Spanish were considered for inclusion. Study selection, critical appraisal, data extraction, and data synthesis were conducted by 2 independent reviewers using the JBI approach and JBI standardized tools. Finally, the ConQual approach was used to assess the confidence level in the study findings.

Results: Seven studies conducted in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Sweden, and the Netherlands between 2014 and 2020 were included. The studies reported the experiences of nurses, nurse aides, and directors of facilities. From the aggregation of 69 findings, 14 categories were generated that were then grouped into 3 synthesized findings describing the experiences of health care personnel as follows: the promotion of residents' sense of home in residential care facilities is influenced by i) the built environment, including private, single rooms with bathrooms, homelike-domestic spaces, personalization of residents' rooms, homelike interior and exterior design, and non-hospital-like environment; ii) the national and local policy and regulations, and work organization, as well as leadership of managers and directors; and iii) the facilities' care culture, including philosophy of care, maintaining autonomy of residents and ties with the community, participation in domestic and recreational activities, and family relationships. Based on the ConQual scores, the confidence level in the synthesized findings was graded as low.

Conclusions: According to health care personnel, the physical environment, interpersonal and social aspects, regulations, work organization, and the facilities' care culture can contribute to creating a sense of home for older adults in residential care facilities. The evidence derived from this review can help health care personnel, facility directors, and policy-makers identify the changes that should be implemented to promote a sense of home in older adults residing in care facilities.

Systematic review registration number: PROSPERO CRD42020214383.