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Living with dementia in a care home: capturing the experiences of residents

Alisoun Milne (Alisoun Milne is a Reader in Social Gerontology, School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research (SSPSSR), University of Kent at Medway, Chatham Maritime, UK and Honorary Research Fellow, Canterbury Christ Church University, Canterbury, UK)

Quality in Ageing and Older Adults

ISSN: 1471-7794

Article publication date: 17 June 2011

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to consider the experiences and perspectives of residents with dementia living in a care home.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews current sources of evidence about “the care home experience”, including material drawn from: research instruments, interviews, observational methods and phenomenological research which aims to capture the lived experiences of residents.

Findings

Research that is attempting to capture the lived experiences of residents further adds to the understanding of quality of life (QoL) and quality of care. Specifically, residents prioritise non‐disease‐related domains of QoL, which is somewhat different than those identified by relatives, care home staff and “objective” measures.

Originality/value

Not only is it evident that residents are able to describe aspects of their situation but they appear to retain a sense of self and identity. There is a distinctive need for assessment of QoL amongst residents with dementia that places their subjective view of this concept at its core.

Keywords

Citation

Milne, A. (2011), "Living with dementia in a care home: capturing the experiences of residents", Quality in Ageing and Older Adults, Vol. 12 No. 2, pp. 76-85. https://doi.org/10.1108/14717791111144687

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2011, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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