Caregivers’ perspectives on ethical aspects of residential and domiciliary care
Ann Gallagher Professor of ethics and care, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, International Care Ethics (ICE) Observatory, University of Surrey, Guildford
Linus Vanlaere Care ethicist, RHIZO School for Nursing, VIVES HBO5 Kortrijk, Belgium
Aim To explore caregivers’ perspectives on ethics in older people’s residential and domiciliary social care.
Method Seventeen staff working in domiciliary and residential care were divided into four focus groups and invited to share their perspectives on ‘ethical’ or ‘good’ care, the ethical issues that arise in their care practice, and barriers and enablers for ethical care.
Findings A thematic analysis identified four themes: negotiating relationships, boundaries and the management of emotions, the effects of negative portrayals of care, and becoming a good carer.
Conclusion Providing ethical social care is complex, and involves managing emotional boundaries and relational issues. The authors suggest that caregivers provide skilled companionship to those in their care.
Nursing Older People.
28, 10, 33-37.
doi: 10.7748/nop.2016.e824
Correspondence
a.gallagher@surrey.ac.uk
Peer review
This article has been subject to external double-blind peer review and checked for plagiarism using automated software
Conflict of interest
None declared
Received: 25 March 2016
Accepted: 04 August 2016
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