Homecare user needs from the perspective of the patient and carers: a review

Abstract

There is a global shift towards a blending of care delivery within formal and informal environments in direct response to economic and demographic pressures. Homecare is at the hub of this activity, enabling people to age in place and keeping families intact. However, our understanding of patient and carer needs is fragmented; understandably so, given the complexity of these needs. This descriptive review offers a content analysis of papers focused on patients' and carers' needs and homecare published between January 2010 and October 2013. It is evident that homecare is an intensely researched area, yet it is disjointed. Emerging research emphasizes the need to take a holistic approach. Firstly, incorporating emotional psychosocial and cultural elements will help to draw together our current understanding within a more cohesive framework. Secondly, tensions that hinder communication and collaboration between stakeholders must be resolved. Thirdly, information and communications technology is rapidly becoming synonymous with homecare, and offers solutions for facilitating care delivery, collaboration, and training of future professionals. The rate of international activity promises much for future research collaborations to compare, contrast, and identify best practices for the future of homecare as we endeavor to meet the ever-increasing pressures on health and social care systems.

Collaboration between home care staff, leaders and care partners of older people with mental health problems: a focus on personhood

“…After the information meetings, 11 people signed up for participation in the study: three leaders to in-depth interviews and eight home care staff members to focus group interviews. 2 The three leaders agreed to participate during the meeting, while the home care staff who wanted to participate gave notice to their leader shortly after. All who wanted to participate in the study were included.…”

The third person in the room: The needs of care partners of older people in home care services—A systematic review from a person‐centred perspective

“…However, these results were based on data collected over 14 years ago, and it is unclear if they are still valid today. Social needs were nonetheless identified in a more recent review about patients' and care partners' needs (Keeling, ). Furthermore, Keeling () emphasised the necessity of information sharing, emotional support and collaboration among the stakeholders (home care services, care partners and care receivers), yet argued that the best way to achieve such collaboration was still unknown.…”

“…Social needs were nonetheless identified in a more recent review about patients' and care partners' needs (Keeling, ). Furthermore, Keeling () emphasised the necessity of information sharing, emotional support and collaboration among the stakeholders (home care services, care partners and care receivers), yet argued that the best way to achieve such collaboration was still unknown. The review (Keeling, ) addressed all age groups, but the search was restricted to one database (Medline) and studies conducted from 2010–2013.…”

“…Furthermore, Keeling () emphasised the necessity of information sharing, emotional support and collaboration among the stakeholders (home care services, care partners and care receivers), yet argued that the best way to achieve such collaboration was still unknown. The review (Keeling, ) addressed all age groups, but the search was restricted to one database (Medline) and studies conducted from 2010–2013. In their integrative review, Silva, Teixeira, Teixeira, and Freitas () reported the lack of studies about the needs of care partners of older people living at home.…”

Creation of complexity assessment tool for patients receiving home care

“…When analyzing instruments for the assessment of patients receiving home care in other countries as well as in Brazilian trial runs (14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20) , the authors found considerable diversity of models and organizations in home care in the last few years, in addition to various study designs and sample characteristics. However, this analysis does not give a complete understanding of the main aspects of home care in those countries and in those services, especially public HC services, that are defined mainly by their humanized and inclusive nature, with user-centered care plans and multidisciplinary health teams.…”