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Autonomy of Institutionalized Elderly: Resident and Staff Perceptions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 November 2010

Gail Jang
Gail Jang
Affiliation:
University of British Columbia*
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Abstract

There is limited research addressing both resident and staff perceptions regarding the autonomy of institutionalized elderly residents, particularly in relation to their daily activities. This study determined residents' and their caregivers' perceptions of residents' latitude of choice regarding daily living activities. The study was conducted in two intermediate care facilities within Vancouver B.C. Study questionnaires were provided to 45 intermediate care residents and 45 nurses. Through three non-parametric statistical techniques, significant differences were found to exist between residents' and staff's perceptions. The study findings indicated that residents' extent of choice over daily activities of importance to them may not be realized to a greater extent if the staff do not attach a similar degree of importance to a particular activity. This study also indicates that, with some activities, staff do not perceive residents associating little or no choice with activities of particular importance to them.

Résumé

Il y a peu de recherches relatives à la perception des résidents et du personnel de l'autonomie des personnes âgées placées dans des centres d'accueil, plus particulièrement au niveau des activités quotidiennes. Cette étude a déterminé la perception des résidents et des personnes chargées des soins face à la liberté d'action des résidents vis-à-vis les activités de la vie courante. L'étude a été faite dans deux centres d'accueil de Vancouver. Les questionnaires ont été soumis à 45 infirmières et à 45 résidents. À l'aide de trois techniques statistiques non-paramétriques, on a découvert l'existence de différences importantes entre les perceptions des résidents et celles du personnel. Les résultats de l'étude ont montré que la liberté d'action des résidents dans leurs activités quotidiennes importantes ne peut s'exercer si le personnel n'accorde pas un degré similaire d'importance à une activité particulière. L'étude a aussi démontré qu'avec certaines activités le personnel ne perçoit pas que les résidents associent peu ou pas de choix face à une activité à laquelle ils attachent une plus grande importance.

Keywords

Autonomie-personnes âgées institutionaliséesperceptions: résidents/personnelAutonomy-Institutionalized ElderlyResident/Staff perceptions
Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement , Volume 11 , Issue 3 , Fall/automne 1992 , pp. 249 - 261
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 1992

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