Municipal Eldercare: Leadership Differences in Nursing Homes and Home Help Services

Abstract

Eldercare organizations have become increasingly multifaceted, and leaders play an important role in such organizations. This study used the developmental leadership questionnaire (DLQ) to compare perceptions of leadership in nursing homes with perceptions of leadership in home help services for older adults. A total of 21 leaders and 95 subordinates responded. Almost all were women; only seven men participated. Both leaders and subordinates perceived more positive leadership styles in nursing homes than in home help services. Leaders self-evaluations showed significant differences in the variables "promoting creativity" (p=0.021), "management-related competencies" (p=0.022), "capacity to cope with stress" (p=0.002), and "results of leadership" (p=0.034). Evaluations of leaders by subordinates showed significant differences in "not overcontrolling" (p=0.018), and "social competence" (p=0.001). Our findings suggest that the social service should recognize the differences in the way nursing homes and home help services are organized and should recruit leaders with traits and behaviours desirable to each setting.