Resident care needs and work stressors in special care units versus non-specialized long-term care units

Resident care needs and work stressors in special care units versus non-specialized long-term care units

Author:
Publication type: 
Journal Article
Year: 
2006
Journal/Series title: 
Research in Nursing & Health
Volume number: 
29
Issue: 
5
Pages: 
465-476
ISSN/ISBN: 
1098-240X
Abstract: 

Differences in how elderly residents' care needs affect staff's experiences of work stressors between special care units (SCUs) for dementia and psychiatric residents and non-SCUs were investigated. The data were drawn from 390 staff members in 38 long-term care SCUs, and 587 staff in 53 non-SCUs in Finland. Residents' care needs were based on the Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) system measured by the Minimum Data Set 2.0. Work stressors (time-pressure and role-conflicts) were assessed with a staff survey questionnaire. Multiple-group regression analysis showed that residents' dependency in activities of daily living (ADL) was related to increased work stressors only in SCUs. A high proportion of behavioral problems was related to fewer work stressors for SCU staff, but more for non-SCU staff. Work stressors may be reduced by specializing, so that residents with similar care needs are placed together and care is focused. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 29: 465-476, 2006