Towards a more person-centred home care service: A study of the preferences of older adults and home care workers

The purpose of this study was to investigate the views of older home care recipients on the care that they receive and the preferences of the home help staff to work more flexible times, in order to provide a more person-centred service for the older person. A mixed-methods design was used, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative research methods. The qualitative phase involved five focus groups (total participants: n=23), to gain information on the recipients’ views on the home help received and how the service may become more person-centred. The quantitative phase involved sending postal questionnaires to Health Service Executive (HSE) home help employees (n=202) and to home help employees from a voluntary home help agency in Dublin South West (n=147). The findings from the qualitative phase of the research highlighted that the recipients were mainly satisfied with the service received but would like more communication with home help managers, and to be consulted regarding their care to allow for a more person-centred service. Companionship was also identified as a need for the older person. Data from the quantitative analysis indicated that home help employees, particularly in the HSE, are willing to work outside current contracted hours; for example, 8 p.m. to midnight midweek, or on Sunday evenings. Therefore, the future possibility of recruiting HSE home help staff to work more flexible hours needs to be considered to allow for a more person-centred home help service.