Long-Term Care Facilities Must Assess Their Residents’ Preferences in Providing Person-Centered Care

To assess and honor the preferences of older adult residents is a fundamental aspect of person-centered care in long-term care facilities. Although researchers and practitioners have initiated the development of measures to assess nursing home residents’ everyday preferences, not much is known regarding how residents interpret and conceptualize their preferences and what specific clinical response must be given to balance health and safety concerns with preferences.
A study showed that residents identified preferences for interpersonal interactions (such as greetings and staff displaying care and respect), coping strategies, personal care (such as bathroom needs, setting up bedding), and healthcare discussions. Participants identified specific qualities and characteristics about care interactions needed to fulfill their everyday preferences.
The results of the study contribute to an emerging body of research that uses patient preferences to meet the goals of person-centered care. The complexity of these responses justifies the utilization of qualitative inquiry to thoroughly assess and integrate nursing home resident preferences into the delivery of person-centered care.