Quality of life coaches work in nursing homes in the Netherlands to support residents with dementia, their families, and professional caregivers. The coaches focus on well-being, quality of life, and improving care. They get to know each resident personally and build relationships between residents, families, and staff. After four years, evaluations show the coaches improve well-being directly by supporting residents and indirectly by helping families and staff better understand and care for residents on an individual level.

1. Quality of life Coaches
Enhancing quality of life and well-being of people with dementia
by supporting and coaching families and professional caregivers.
Focus on well-being
Four years ago Oudshoorn, a nursing home in the Netherlands, started with Quality of life Coaches, a new
job in its small scale living facility for people with dementia. These coaches are involved in the lives of
each resident and their families from the moment they move into one of the 22 'houses'. They focus on
well-being, quality of life and improving quality of care.
Building bridges
The coaches are building bridges between the residents with dementia, their families and the formal
caregivers. They focus on each person's unique personality, experience and life history.
Josine Engels, E-mail: J.Engels@oudshoorn.rijnland.nl, Telephone: 0031 172467330. www.verpleeghuisoudshoorn.nl
Nursing home Oudshoorn is part of Alrijne Care group, which also incorporates nursing home Leythenrode and Alrijne Hospitals.
Disclosure of financial support or conflict of interest.
Josine Engels, Quality of life Coach in nursing home Oudshoorn, Alrijne Care group,
Bachelor Sociology, specialized in Care and policy.
Formal caregivers
- Supporting and coaching the staff situational
and on the job.
- Individually and in teams.
- Giving trainings and meetings.
- Understanding and explaining behavioral
changes.
- Remarking physical, mental, cognitive and social
changes of the residents.
- Consulting medics and paramedics when
necessary.
People with dementia
- Supporting and coaching in psychosocial needs.
- Focus on individual needs, wishes, feelings and
habits.
- Enhancing opportunities and positive well-being.
- Improving someone's personal coping skills.
- Recognizable and dementia-friendly
environment.
- Improving end of life care and complementary
care.
Family
- Supporting and coaching in the new situation and
emotions they experience.
- Giving them information and tools in dealing with
the disease process and their changing lives,
communication with their loved ones, activities
and coping skills.
- Groups for partners, theme-evenings for children
and family-evenings.
Effects
After four years and different positive evaluations, the Quality of life Coaches have proven to be of great added value for the residents,
their families and the formal caregivers in enhancing well-being, quality of life and quality of care in:
- Focus on well-being and participation.
- More attention to each resident's unique personality, needs and wishes.
- More focus on the importance of relationship and interaction.
- Family and staff feel more supported.
- Better understanding of the residents and an individual approach.
- Improved communication and understanding between family and formal caregivers.
- More attention to innovation, better implemented and ensured new programs.
The Quality of life Coaches improve
well-being directly and indirectly.