FACTORS INFLUENCING AUTONOMY OF NURSING HOME RESIDENTS WITH DEMENTIA: THE PERCEPTION OF FAMILY CAREGIVERS

People with dementia become increasingly dependent on others in achieving autonomy. This is especially the case when people with dementia are living in a nursing home. This study aims to gain insight in the opinion of family caregivers on factors influencing autonomy of people with dementia within nursing homes. In this qualitative study, data are collected by means of in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 30 primary family caregivers of nursing home residents with dementia from four different care organizations in the Netherlands. A qualitative thematic approach was used to analyze the data. According to family caregivers, a person-centered approach, the ability to hold on to family traditions in the nursing home, the ability to bring personal belongings of the residents to the nursing home, and the resident being involved in meaningful activities, seem to be important in achieving resident autonomy. Barriers to autonomy that were mentioned by family caregivers were frequent changes in care staff, restriction in resident freedom of movement, lack of time for person-centered activities, lack of personal attention, having to adapt to the needs of other residents, and offering group activities that do not sufficiently suit resident interests. Family caregivers have identified various factors that may improve or impede autonomy of residents with dementia in nursing homes. Based on these insights, nursing homes could develop new approaches aimed at improving the autonomy of residents with dementia in nursing homes.