Attitudes towards dignity of risk in older people: A survey following a short narrative film

Abstract

<p><b>Objective:</b> To evaluate aged care staff's '<i>willingness to help an older person with risk-taking activities</i>' that improve quality of life ('dignity of risk').<br/> <b>Methods:</b> Opportunity-based cross-sectional anonymous electronic survey in four Australian jurisdictions, conducted immediately after screening a short animated narrative film describing 'dignity of risk'. Survey comprised nine questions including respondent demographics, professional role, risk-taking and outcome.<br/> <b>Results:</b> From 24 separate screenings, there were 929 respondents. Agreement to '<i>help an older person with risk-taking activities</i>' was associated with respondent prediction of the least severe harm occurring (OR = 2.22 [1.20, 4.12], <i>P</i> = .001). Conversely, respondents in non-executive, non-managerial roles - that is, nurses and care workers - were unlikely to agree to help with risk-taking activities (OR 0.36-0.49, <i>P</i> ≤ .03). There was not an association with respondent's age grouping (<i>P</i> = .6).<br/> <b>Conclusion:</b> Staff self-reported attitudes towards dignity of risk are important to understand to enhance in an older person's quality of life.</p>