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.

Keywords: Discomfort, patients with dementia, nursing home.