Persoonsgerichte zorg in de praktijk: ervaringen van zorgprofessionals en naasten van mensen met dementie in verpleeghuizen

The concept of person-centred care has become an important part of dementia care. However, there is little knowledge about how person-centred care is integrated in the daily care of people with dementia living in nursing homes. The aim of this qualitative study was to investigate to what extent care staff and relatives recognize, apply and experience person-centred elements such as personhood, communication, envi-ronment, and dignity in the provision of care. Five care professionals and seven relatives of residents with dementia were interviewed, after which the interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. In addition to four themes relating to the four elements of person-centred care, two themes about the preconditions for providing person-centred care emerged. Professionals and relatives described various situations of person-centred care, but also situations in which this was not the case. Especially in communication, care professionals and relatives experienced gaps in person-centred care towards residents. Besides, relatives wanted to be heard by the care staff. Quality and quantity of care staff and sufficient time turned out to be important preconditions for person-centred care. Education about dementia and person-centred care, small adjustments in care and better collaboration with relatives may positively affect person-centred care provision to residents with dementia.