Background: Few studies have empirically investigated factors that define residential aged care units that are\nperceived as being highly person-centred. The purpose of this study was to explore factors characterising\nresidential aged care units perceived as being highly person-centred, with a focus on organisational and\nenvironmental variables, as well as residents� and staff� characteristics.\nMethods: A cross-sectional design was used. Residents (n = 1460) and staff (n = 1213) data from 151 residential care\nunits were collected, as well as data relating to characteristics of the organisation and environment, and data measuring\ndegree of person-centred care. Participating staff provided self-reported data and conducted proxy ratings on residents.\nDescriptive and comparative statistics, independent samples t-test, Chi2 test, Eta Squared and Phi coefficient were used to\nanalyse data.\nResults: Highly person-centred residential aged care units were characterized by having a shared philosophy of care, a\nsatisfactory leadership, interdisciplinary collaboration and social support from colleagues and leaders, a dementiafriendly\nphysical environment, staff having time to spend with residents, and a smaller unit size. Residential aged care\nunits with higher levels of person-centred care had a higher proportion of staff with continuing education in dementia\ncare, and a higher proportion of staff receiving regular supervision, compared to units with lower levels of personcentred\ncare.\nConclusions: It is important to target organisational and environmental factors, such as a shared philosophy of care,\nstaff use of time, the physical environment, interdisciplinary support, and support from leaders and colleagues, to\nimprove person-centred care in residential care units. Managers and leaders seeking to facilitate person-centred care in\ndaily practice need to consider their own role in supporting, encouraging, and supervising staff.
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