Dementia Care Nursing for Apathetic Older Patients: A Qualitative Study

Autor: Mana Doi, Asumi Tanaka, Nanae Nemoto, Tenna Watanabe, Yuka Kanoya
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2024
Předmět:
Zdroj: Geriatrics, Vol 9, Iss 5, p 106 (2024)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 2308-3417
DOI: 10.3390/geriatrics9050106
Popis: The number of patients hospitalized with dementia is increasing, but one symptom, apathy, tends to be overlooked and unaddressed. Thus, this study determines how nurses certified in dementia nursing engage with older patients with dementia who exhibit apathy during hospitalization. A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with 10 dementia care nurses in Japan was conducted. Through conventional content analysis, 10 categories were generated. They included (1) initiating patient engagement when their physiological or daily-life problems become more pronounced, (2) assessing and identifying the causes of decreased motivation from multiple perspectives, (3) assessing patients from multiple perspectives to determine the best way to start supporting them, (4) providing reassurance through basic dementia care, (5) incorporating pleasant stimuli into the hospital environment, (6) providing care based on patients’ circumstances and abilities by collaborating with multiple professionals. Nurses initiate involvement with patients when their daily life problems become more pronounced. They conduct comprehensive assessments from multiple perspectives and collaborate with other professionals to ensure patient care and safety. They also extend their support to patients’ families and maintain long-term involvement. Apathetic older patients benefit from basic nursing care practices and a patient-centered approach, which do not require specialization or additional costs and resources.
Databáze: Directory of Open Access Journals