Effects of a person-centred and health-promoting intervention in home care services– a non-randomized controlled trial

• Published in: BMC Geriatrics
• Main Authors: Kristina Lämås, Karin Bölenius, Per-Olof Sandman, Marie Lindkvist, David Edvardsson
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2021
• Subjects: Home care service; Intervention; Older adults; Person-centred care; Geriatrics; RC952-954.6; Northern Sweden
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-021-02661-5; https://doaj.org/article/50b576bc1f9e4dbcba98f4312359ad16

Abstract Background Home care recipients have reported little self-determination and opportunity to influence their own care. Person-centred care focusing on involvement has improved the quality of life of older adults in health care and nursing homes; however, knowledge about the effects of person-centred interventions in aged care at home is sparse. The aim of this study was to study the effects of a person-centred and health-promoting intervention, compared with usual care, on health-related quality of life, thriving and self-determination among older adults, and on job satisfaction, stress of conscience and level of person-centred care among care staff. Methods This is a non-randomized controlled trial with a before/after design. Participants from five home care districts in one municipality in northern Sweden were recruited to an intervention or control group. We evaluated health-related quality of life, thriving and self-determination among older home care recipients, and job satisfaction, person-centred care and stress of conscience among care staff. Evaluation was performed by questionnaires and responses were analysed using parametric and non-parametric statistical analyses. Results Eighty-one older adults and 48 staff were included in the study. A clinically moderate and statistically significant difference between the intervention and control groups was found in thriving and negative emotions among older adults. The intervention contributed to maintaining high thriving levels, in contrast to decreased thriving in the control group (intervention: + 1, control: − 4, p 0.026, CI: − 10. 766, − 0.717). However, the intervention group rated an increase in negative emotions, while the control group was unchanged (intervention: − 7 control: + − 0, p 0.048, CI: − 17.435, − 0.098). No significant effects were found among staff. Conclusions The intervention contributed to maintaining high levels of thriving in contrast to low levels found in the control group, and it seems reasonable to consider the intervention ...