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Bathing people with dementia: when education is not enough.
1Fraser Health Authority, White Rock, Canada. Gina.Gaspard@fraserhealth.ca
Health care assistants use unique strategies when bathing individuals with dementia, influenced by their definitions of a successful bath. Understanding these experiences can improve dementia care and bathing support.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Nursing Care
- Dementia Care
Background:
- Bathing individuals with dementia presents unique challenges in residential care.
- Understanding health care assistants' (HCAs) perspectives is crucial for improving care quality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore health care assistants' perceptions and experiences of bathing individuals with dementia.
- To identify bathing strategies used by HCAs and the factors influencing them.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study utilizing three focus groups.
- 18 health care assistants from 12 residential care facilities participated.
- Thematic analysis was used to interpret the data.
Main Results:
- HCAs defined a successful bath in two distinct ways.
- Three emergent themes guided HCA bathing strategies: 'I Know You,' 'I Am All Alone,' and 'I Am Not Prepared.'
Conclusions:
- The findings inform a framework for gerontological nurses.
- This framework aims to support successful bathing experiences for people with dementia.
- Improved understanding can enhance dementia care practices.
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