How do clients and (In)formal caregivers experience quality of home care? A qualitative approach

To explore and understand the views of clients and formal and informal caregivers about the experienced quality of home care for older people.

A descriptive qualitative study was conducted using individual interviews.

Six home care clients, four formal and six informal caregivers were recruited from two Dutch home care organizations. Individual, semi-structured interviews took place between April - November 2018. The INDividually EXperienced QUAlity of Long-term care framework was used to guide data collection and content analyses.

The analyses revealed several important attributes contributing to experienced quality of home care such as a preferred small number of caregivers, perceived sufficient time for care provision and a caring atmosphere facilitating open communication and humour. Participants indicated that care routines fitting with the care receiver's former way of living were important. A more 'close' personal care relationship related to trust, openness and empathy was preferred over a more 'detached' professional care relationship.

This study identified a wide range of attributes related to experienced quality of care from the perspectives of clients and formal and informal caregivers in home care.

Care providers are being challenged to structurally assess individual experienced quality of home care. This study underlines the importance of incorporating care preferences and experiences throughout the care process from a relationship-centred care approach. Relevant care measures and outcomes should be determined to gain insight and further improve individual care provision.