Fostering dignity in the care of nursing home residents through slow caring

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Physical impairment and dependency on others may be a threat to dignity. RESEARCH QUESTIONS: The purpose of this study was to explore dignity as a core concept in caring, and how healthcare personnel focus on and foster dignity in nursing home residents. RESEARCH DESIGN: This study has a hermeneutic design. Participants and research context: In all, 40 healthcare personnel from six nursing homes in Scandinavia participated in focus group interviews in this study. Ethical considerations: This study has been evaluated and approved by the Regional Ethical Committees and the Social Science Data Services in the respective Scandinavian countries. FINDINGS: Two main themes emerged: dignity as distinction (I), and dignity as influence and participation (II). DISCUSSION: A common understanding was that stress and business was a daily challenge. CONCLUSION: Therefore, and according to the health personnel, maintaining human dignity requires slow caring in nursing homes, as an essential approach.