Title : Promoting a culture of community in Lebanese care homes through forging partnerships. A constructivist case study approach
Abstract:
Background: Care homes can create a culture of community where residents, their families and staff are supported to develop positive relationships with one another, to interact and explore ideas together in an informal way. This concept is reported in the literature as a Westernized construct and so far, little is known about its meanings from a Middle Eastern cultural perspective and context.
Aim: The aim of this study is to contribute to the understanding of how partnership between the three stakeholders may contribute to changing the organization and focus of care homes, supporting a transition to the development of a culture of community.
Method: Constructivist case study method is employed following Stake’s collective case study model. Two care homes were chosen purposively to capture the experience of residents, families and staff working in different types of care homes. Data collection methods include interviews, focus groups, and field observations with triangulation of methods and data. Data collection and data analysis occurred simultaneously.
Results: Analysis of data resulted in emergence of four themes: organizational flexibility, a vision of care incorporating fundamental elements such as caring and dignity, connectedness/reciprocity, enhancing job satisfaction and morale of staff. These findings indicate that residents, staff, and families are interdependent and this needs to be considered when fostering a culture of community in care homes, and that interdependence is an important value. Organizational flexibility, individualized care to be set as priorities over disease and illness.
Implications: The findings will have implications for developing policy and practice in care homes to improve experience of older residents thus enhancing quality of life in care homes in Lebanon.
Audience Take Away
- The presentation will provide sufficient evidence to guide care homes and governing bodies to make informed decisions in the implementation and transformation of care home culture
- The presentation will have implications for developing policy and practice in care homes to improve the experience of older residents thus enhancing their quality of life
- The findings of the presentation will imply that a shift in our conceptual approach to care provision that is consistent with the values, needs, and desires of older residents is necessary
