The experiences and needs of frail older people receiving home health care: A qualitative study

Background: Due to the rapid ageing of the population, there is increasing demand for long-term care in the people's home environment. Such care aims to allow the people to stay at home and avoid hospitalisation or other institutional care. In home health care, care must be provided at the highest possible quality, with the focus on the people's needs and experiences. Objectives: This study explores the experiences and needs of frail older people receiving home health care. Design and methods: An exploratory descriptive qualitative approach was chosen. Audio-taped semi-structured interviews were conducted with fifteen older people receiving home health care. A content analysis was used to analyse the data collected. Results: The content analysis identified one main theme, three categories and seven subcategories related to frail older people's needs and experiences of home health care. The main theme was quality of care. The first category, Safe and Secure Care, consisted of three subcategories: Education and Experience of Nurses, Information, and Continuity of Care in terms of personnel continuity and regular care. The second category, Autonomy, contained two subcategories: Decision-making and Self-sufficiency. The last category, Relationship with Professionals, consisted of two subcategories: Personality of Nurse and Partnerships. Conclusion: Older people are able to express their satisfaction or dissatisfaction with home health care. The results of this study revealed that the quality of care is crucial for frail older people. Implication for practice: The provision of home health care is inherently highly specific; home care nurses should work to provide the highest possible quality of care. In particular, nurses should focus on ensuring that the care they provide is safe, effective, timely, efficient and person-centred.