Nurses’ Attitudes towards the Elderly Care in Nursing Homes : A Descriptive Literature Review

Abstract

The attitude of nurses towards elderly care plays an important role in delivering the quality care in the nursing homes. This study attempts to understand the factors that influences the attitude of nurses and the importance of nurses’ attitude in elderly care. For this purpose, a qualitative literature review was conducted by selecting 12 peer reviewed research studies from PubMed. The collected data was analysed by implementing the inductive content analysis method. This method was used to develop meaning units, codes, sub categories, generic categories and main categories to identify themes. The study reveals that main factors affecting nurses attitude includes personal, psychological, professional competence and training, relational motivators, and organisational and leadership support. The importance of nurses’ attitude was reflected in their direct impact on the quality of care, resident satisfaction, staff retention and the delivery of person-centred, empathetic and dignified services. The positive attitude among nurses is linked with higher self-efficacy, better health outcomes and stronger relationship with elderly while the negative attitude is linked with hindered quality of care and collaboration. There is a complex interplay of above identified factors that shapes the attitude of nurses in elderly care. Proper training, leadership and person-centred care can foster positive attitude and result in enhancing care in nursing homes.