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The needs of people with dementia in care homes: the perspectives of users, staff and family caregivers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 April 2008

Martin Orrell ,
Geraldine A. Hancock ,
Kumari C. Galboda Liyanage ,
Bob Woods ,
David Challis  and
Juanita Hoe
Martin Orrell*
Affiliation:
Department of Mental Health Sciences, University College London, U.K.
Geraldine A. Hancock
Affiliation:
Department of Mental Health Sciences, University College London, U.K.
Kumari C. Galboda Liyanage
Affiliation:
Mascalls Park, North East London Mental Health Trust, Brentwood, Essex, U.K.
Bob Woods
Affiliation:
Dementia Services Development Centre, University of Wales Bangor, Bangor, U.K.
David Challis
Affiliation:
Personal Social Services Research Unit, University of Manchester, Manchester, U.K.
Juanita Hoe
Affiliation:
Department of Mental Health Sciences, University College London, U.K.
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Professor Martin Orrell, Department of Mental Health Sciences, University College London, Charles Bell House, 67–73 Riding House Street, London, W1W 7EJ, U.K. Phone: +44 (0)20 769 9452; Fax: +44 (0)20 769 9426. Email: m.orrell@ucl.ac.uk.
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Abstract

Background: People with dementia in care homes are at risk of having their views ignored and decisions are often made on their behalf by care home staff and family carers. The aim of this study was to compare the ratings of needs of older people with dementia living in care homes, as assessed by the older person themselves, a family caregiver, and the staff of the care home.

Method: The Camberwell Assessment of Need for the Elderly (CANE) was completed for 238 residents with dementia by care staff. In addition, 149 users and 81 family caregivers also completed the assessment of the person's met and unmet needs.

Results: Many users were able to report their met and unmet needs despite having moderately severe dementia. The views of the person with dementia were commonly in agreement with the staff and family carers' views. However, user and carer pairs had the lowest average percentage agreement of 63% compared to that of 77% between user and staff pairs. In particular, users reported relatively higher unmet needs for psychological distress, company and information, and high unmet needs for daytime activities and eyesight/hearing problems.

Conclusions: Users' views on their needs should be sought even when the person has dementia and lives in a care home. Reliance solely on assessment by staff or carers may lead to under recognition of unmet needs.

Keywords

needsCANEdementiaolder peoplecare homes
Type
Research Article
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 20 , Issue 5 , October 2008 , pp. 941 - 951
Copyright
Copyright © International Psychogeriatric Association 2008

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