Qualitative Insights From Care Professionals on Non-dementia Mental Distress in Nursing Home Residents

ObjectivesIn Czechia and Slovakia, nursing homes provide care for older adults with reduced independence due to aging. While specialized facilities exist for individuals with Alzheimer's and dementia, those with other forms of mental distress lack adequate support. This study aims to explore the experiences of caregivers in nursing homes, focusing on their strategies for recognizing, managing, and addressing mental distress among older adults.DesignA qualitative design study, adhering to the COREQ checklist, was conducted. Semi-structured interviews were performed with professional caregivers from nursing homes in Czechia and Slovakia.Setting and ParticipantsThe study involved 11 professional caregivers working in nursing homes located in Czechia and Slovakia.MethodsThematic analysis was applied to data obtained through semi-structured interviews to identify key themes related to the research question: "What is the experience of professionals in nursing homes when caring for older adults with mental distress other than dementia?".ResultsThree main themes and nine sub-themes were identified. The first theme focused on how caregivers recognize mental distress, either through subjective assessments or information provided by other sources, such as relatives or medical records. The second theme addressed the challenges posed by behavioral symptoms, categorized into four sub-themes: never satisfied; greediness for contact; suspicion, accusation, and mistrust; and making conflicts. The third theme examined the strategies used by caregivers to manage these behaviors, including advocacy, empathetic listening, and seeking support from colleagues or mental health professionals.Conclusions and ImplicationsSystemic challenges, including under-diagnosis and stigmatization of mental health conditions, hinder the quality of care for clients with mental distress in nursing homes in Czechia and Slovakia. Recommendations include integrating psychologists into nursing homes, centralizing medical records, improving training programs, and using behavioral symptoms as diagnostic cues. Implementing these measures could enhance care quality and outcomes for both caregivers and clients.