Abstract for Nursing Conference

Background
Patients with dementia will progress to eventually rely on assistance with personal care from another person. Patients with a diagnosis of dementia often exhibit responsive behaviours when receiving personal care which can be detrimental for the patient.

Objectives
To develop better methods for providing personal care to people living with dementia in the hopes of reducing responsive behaviours.

Methods
A cross-study comparison was used to compare data and findings. This research included interviewing subjects to obtain a detailed and contextual understanding of the subject.

Results
Staff provide care more confidently when a protocol is developed to consistently interact with patients with dementia. Adequate staffing and training allow staff to provide better care to patients with dementia.

Conclusion
Consistency is useful in fostering confidence in nurses and caregivers when providing care to patients with dementia. Focusing on non pharmacological care plans is better than using psychiatric drugs to prevent responsive behaviours. Facilities would benefit from adequate staffing and training.

Thank you,
Rachel

Abstract for Nursing Conference

Is there a Relationship between Short Periods of Compassion-based Responsive Behaviors by Non-Family Member Caregivers and Mental Wellness in Older Adults Residing in LTC?
Oghenefegor Uwejeya, RPN, WeRPN Learner, 2024

The aim of the research study is to explore if a relationship exists between short periods of compassion-based responsive behaviors by non-family member caregivers and mental wellness in older adults residing in Long Term Care (LTC). Various life changes associated with older adulthood has a very high likelihood of impacting the mental health and wellness of older adults, especially those living LTC. This makes it of utmost importance for non-family member healthcare caregivers to be sensitive and compassionate in how they respond to older adults in the LTC environment, especially in the context of words, attitude and action. More often than not, the very busy and fast-paced nature of the LTC environment could make it seem impossible to relationally engage with residents. However, research shows that it takes just about 56 seconds to make a connection with another. This cross-sectional research study will be in a rural nursing home in Bantille, Canzon. The study will be done over a 1-year period with a total of n=80 participants (30 residents, and 50 non-family member caregivers) including residents and healthcare workers from different professional backgrounds (physicians, nurses, personal support workers (PSWs), dietitians, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and recreational therapists). The results of the study will help to demonstrate if a positive relationship, or a negative relationship exists between short periods of compassion-based responsive behaviors by non-family member healthcare caregivers and mental wellness in older adults residing in LTC. In this study, older adults and healthcare workers will engage in a 1-minute lively conversation on a shared topic of interest at the start of the day. This is as research shows that the first conversation that a person has in a day can set the tone for the entire day. The findings of the research will enable researchers to further explore how compassionate behaviors impact resident and staff in long-term care, especially in terms of mental wellness in older adult residents and overall quality of life. Also, the findings of the research will provide insight as to whether mental wellness in older adults in LTC impacts job satisfaction in healthcare workers, and ultimately staff retention in LTC.

Oghenefegor, U.