INTRODUCTION

Worldwide, healthcare systems continue to evolve approaches to acute care delivery for older people. The Swiss healthcare system, for example, utilises Diagnosis-Related Groups (Swiss DRG) to structure hospital stays. This system creates opportunities to enhance post-acute care services that support functional recovery and independence. The 'Home, Instead of Nursing Home' project collaboratively developed an integrated programme that combines staff education with structured care delivery processes to enhance person-centred, rehabilitative care for older people in acute transitional care, emphasising autonomy and quality of life.

METHODS

The development process consisted of four steps: inter-professional workshops with healthcare professionals, interviews with residents of nursing homes providing acute transitional care and their relatives, data synthesis and programme development. Participants (N = 38) were individuals from three nursing homes, including healthcare professionals, residents and relatives. We conducted a thematic analysis to identify essential workshop and interview themes.

RESULTS

The analysis identified four main themes: promoting a person-centred, resource-oriented culture; implementing person-centred, resource-oriented care; fostering movement competence and developing a champion role. The derived programme for person-centred and resource-oriented care (PCC&ROC) consists of four pillars: PCC&ROC care culture, PCC&ROC care planning, movement promotion and coaching and consulting. We adapted the programme to the individual circumstances of the three nursing homes.

CONCLUSION

The programme integrates international best practices with a salutogenic perspective and the inclusion of residents and their relatives. It addresses the critical need for person-centred and resource-oriented care in the context of nursing home short-term care for older individuals, promoting autonomy and improving their quality of life. This research emphasises the importance of involving relevant stakeholders in evidence-based programme development to develop a programme tailored to the needs and challenges of the intended population.