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Client safety in assisted living: perspectives from clients, personal support workers and administrative staff in T oronto, C anada
Author(s) -
Speller Brittany,
Stolee Paul
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
health and social care in the community
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.984
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1365-2524
pISSN - 0966-0410
DOI - 10.1111/hsc.12120
Subject(s) - nursing , qualitative research , residence , content analysis , population , independent living , medicine , psychology , gerontology , sociology , environmental health , social science , demography
Abstract As the population ages, the demand for long‐term care settings is expected to increase. Assisted living is a suitable and favourable residence for older individuals to receive care services specific to their needs while maintaining their independence and privacy. With the growing transition of older individuals into assisted living, facilities need to ensure that safe care is continually maintained. The purpose of this study was to determine the gaps and strengths in care related to safety in assisted living facilities ( ALF s). A qualitative descriptive research design was used to provide a comprehensive understanding of client safety from the perspectives of clients, administrative staff and personal support workers. Interviews were conducted with 22 key informants from three ALF s in Toronto, Ontario throughout July 2012. All interviews were semi‐structured, audio‐recorded and transcribed verbatim. Initial deductive analysis used directed coding based on a prior literature review, followed by inductive analysis to determine themes. Three themes emerged relating to the safety of clients in ALF s: meaning of safety, a multi‐faceted approach to providing safe care and perceived areas of improvement. Sub‐themes also emerged including physical safety, multiple factors, working as a team, respecting clients' independence, communication and increased education and available resources. The study findings can contribute to the improvement and development of new processes to maintain and continually ensure safe care in ALF s.