Evaluating positive events in care homes: A case study using the CARE profiling tool

Abstract

The Combined Assessment of Residential Environments (CARE) profiling tool evaluates the frequency of positive events experienced by residents, relatives, and staff in care home settings. It is hoped that feedback from this too! will both reinforce good care home practice and identify areas for change based on the experiences of all major stakeholders. The development of CARE was presented in a preliminary paper. In this secondary paper, the process of analysis will be presented using data drawn from a single care home (residents, n=ll; relatives, n=16; and staff, n=14). CARE was completed using one-to-one interviews (residents and staff) and a postal submission (relatives) yielding 41 completed questionnaires. Data analysis involved integrating the quantitative and qualitative aspects of the tool to generate a comprehensive profile of events at the home. This is displayed as two thematic profiles summarising the positive and negative experiences of those living and working in the home. The relevance of the profiles as a potential means of promoting change in the home are discussed with reference to the underlying theoretical rationale for the CARE profiles approach.