Tisher, Tammy, Dean, Suzanne and Tisher, Miriam (2009) Aged care residential facility and family interface: a training program for staff. Clinical Gerontologist, 32 (3). pp. 309-323. ISSN 0731-7115 (print) 1541-2301 (online)

Abstract

An important dimension of long-term residential care is the ongoing relationship between nursing staff and residents’ families. This article reports an innovative attempt to train staff in an Australian Federal Government accredited aged care facility in Melbourne, Australia. A series of four in-service workshops for staff were designed, conducted on two occasions for 26 participants, and evaluated for 18 participants. Results showed that after the workshops, participants felt more appreciated and less blamed by family members and more satisfied with their conversations with family members. Central critical factors in format and content of training included role playing, group dynamics, facilitators’ acknowledgment and containment of staff vulnerabilities, and staff need for recognition, value, and appreciation and increased awareness of their own behavior.

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