Perspectives about dignity during acute care for older people and their relatives: A qualitative study

The aim of the study was to enhance understanding about dignified care from older peoples' and their carers' perspectives. The information will contribute to the development of a tool to measure older peoples' dignity during hospitalisation.

Older people are a vulnerable cohort at risk of loss of dignity during acute hospitalisation arising from environmental, behavioural and patient factors. It is not clear how older people and their relatives define dignified care in acute care settings.

An interpretative descriptive method was used.

A purposive sample of older people (at least 65 years) who had been hospitalised in acute care and subsequently transferred to sub-acute care, and their relatives, were invited to participate. The study was undertaken in one sub-acute ward in a regional healthcare organisation in Victoria, Australia. Individual interviews were audio-recorded then transcribed. Data were analysed using thematic content analysis. The COREQ checklist was used to document reporting of the study.

Individual interviews were conducted: 24 patients and 12 relatives. Three main themes were identified: "Involve me in decisions about my care and treatment," "Keep me safe when I am vulnerable" and "Treat me as an individual and with respect." Older people want to be involved in decisions about their care and treatment and to receive adequate, suitable information. They feel vulnerable during hospitalisation and want to feel safe when speaking up about concerns. Individual acknowledgement is an important aspect of dignity.

Older people and their relatives identified specific elements of care that uphold or threaten dignity during acute hospitalisation. Nurses play a major role in upholding dignity for older people in hospital.

Clinicians may benefit from systematic dignity-related training. Specific strategies to enhance older persons' dignity, including communication skills training and continence management need to be developed, implemented and evaluated.