Concept Development of Identification of Discomfort for Nursing Home Patients With Advanced Dementia

Abstract

PURPOSE The aim of this study is to clarify the concept of discomfort identification by concept development in the nursing home. METHODS The Schwartz-Barcott and Kim's hybrid model was used. FINDINGS The identification of discomfort can be explained as an interactive and confirmative process of sympathetically responding to patients with dementia's problem behavior expressions that communicate unmet needs. CONCLUSIONS The identification of discomfort has the potential to improve the detection of multidimensional discomfort related to nursing diagnosis as a holistic and patient-centered approach. IMPLICATION FOR NURSING PRACTICE The findings could help nursing home nurses have a better understanding of identification of discomfort and can improve nurses and interdisciplinary caregivers' knowledge for developing appropriate comfort caring activities.