The meaning of a positive client-nurse relationship for senior home care clients with chronic disease.

Authors

Liza J Turpin
Carol L McWilliam
Catherine Ward-Griffin

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-1-2012

Journal

Canadian journal on aging = La revue canadienne du vieillissement

Volume

31

Issue

4

First Page

457

Last Page

469

URL with Digital Object Identifier

10.1017/S0714980812000311

Abstract

This study explored the meaning of a positive client-nurse relationship for seniors with chronic disease receiving in-home care. In this phenomenological study, eight participants aged 65 to 86 were purposefully selected from the Southwest Community Care Access Centre (SW-CCAC) in London, Ontario. Narrative data were collected through audiotaped, in-depth interviews using a semi-structured interview guide. The analysis and interpretation of the interviews revealed that the meaning of a positive client-nurse relationship for these seniors encompassed two patterns of the meaning: having comfort and being connected within this relationship. These two patterns were contextualized by being a senior with chronic disease and were socially constructed through the relational experience of co-creating a positive relationship. Although further research is needed, the insights gained add to what is known about the theory and practice of relational health promotion for seniors living with chronic disease receiving in-home care.