Barriers and enablers to leisure provision in residential aged care: personal care attendant perspectives

This exploratory descriptive study investigated barriers and enablers to the provision of leisure activities for people living in three Australian residential aged care facilities (RACFs) that operated under a household model of care. This research is unique in the international context, as few stud...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Ageing and society 2024-06, Vol.44 (6), p.1308-1328
Main Authors: Stoddart, Sharon Rose, Courtney-Pratt, Helen, Andrews, Sharon
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Assistants
Barriers
Cognitive-behavioral factors
Dementia
Elder care
Focus groups
Functional impairment
Human rights
Leisure
Long term health care
Nursing homes
Older people
Perceptions
Personal grooming
Prioritizing
Psychological problems
Quality of life
Recreation
Social interaction
Staffing
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Summary:This exploratory descriptive study investigated barriers and enablers to the provision of leisure activities for people living in three Australian residential aged care facilities (RACFs) that operated under a household model of care. This research is unique in the international context, as few studies have explored the understandings and experiences of personal care attendants' (PCAs) perceptions of what impacts leisure provision for people living in RACFs. Qualitative data were collected from 17 PCAs via four focus groups. Barriers to leisure provision were identified as PCA–resident ratios, competing demands of the PCA role and a prioritisation of physical care tasks over leisure-related activities. The severity of residents' dementia (cognitive and functional deficits) as well as behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia were also framed as barriers to participation in and the provision of leisure. Participants identified enablers of leisure provision as related to perceptions of leisure, the experiential knowledge of staff, organisational support and resourcing. The study findings suggest that enhancing leisure provision for people living with dementia will require attention to system issues (i.e. staffing levels, ratios, PCA role demands) as well as PCA knowledge and capability to facilitate person-centred leisure.
ISSN:0144-686X
1469-1779
DOI:10.1017/S0144686X2200071X