“How Can We Help You?” Older Adults’ and Care Partners’ Perspectives on Improving Care in Hospital: A Mixed Methods Study

Abstract

Background

Hospitalized older adults have unique physical, emotional, and psychosocial needs. We sought to understand older patients’ and care partners’ experiences with multicomponent interventions that support age-friendly care and identify areas for improvement.

Methods

We conducted a mixed methods study using surveys and interviews to explore older adult patients’ (65 years or older) and their care partners’ experiences with hospital-delivered multicomponent initiatives. We recruited participants from the Geriatric Rehabilitation (GRU) and Musculoskeletal (MSK) Rehabilitation units in a Canadian academic hospital from October 2021 to April 2022 until we reached data saturation and no new themes emerged.

Results

We recruited 18 participants, 10 patients (mean age 78 years, 80.0% female) and 8 care partners (mean age 61, 87.5% female). Surveys revealed overall positive experiences with multicomponent interventions. Interviews revealed five themes: 1) various forms of companionship for patients, 2) recreation and entertainment, 3) physical activity, 4) communication, and 5) pleasant physical environment. Having forms of companionship and proper communication with the care team were highlighted as areas of importance. Physical activity was highly valued, but participants expressed hesitation around safety of mobilizing without physiotherapists. Recreational activities helped distract from social isolation during a hospital stay and participants had diverse preferences for activities. Participants had strong memories of the physical environment, including the lack of natural light, institutional-like décor, and smells. 

Conclusion

Companionship, recreation and entertainment, physical activity, communication, and the physical environment were important to hospitalized patients and their care partners. Hospital administrators and policy makers should consider these when targeting areas to improve care for the aging population.