Choice on the menu in residential aged care: An underrated tool for maintaining resident autonomy.

AIMS

This qualitative study aimed to explore residents' experiences of autonomy in relation to their meals pre and post-intervention, which implemented a restaurant-style dining service and increased the number of meal choices available in one residential aged care home.

METHODS

Participants completed semi-structured interviews pre- and post-intervention. Interviews were transcribed and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Adopting an interpretivist approach, the researchers prioritised participants' subjective experiences and engaged collaboratively in reflexive practices to examine their positionality while developing themes.

RESULTS

Twenty participants completed pre-interviews and eighteen completed post-interviews. Themes developed from pre-intervention interviews included 'Autonomy in residential aged care homes: Ideal versus reality', 'Values and expectations of residential aged care' and 'Disempowerment within residential aged care systems'. Themes from post intervention interviews included 'Reclaiming Autonomy' 'System design to support autonomy and Autonomy beyond meal choice'.

CONCLUSION

Residents in residential aged care encounter institutional factors that undermine their sense of autonomy. However, foodservice systems have the potential to enhance choice and autonomy and positively impact residents.