The meaning of slow nursing in dementia care

Research literature in the dementia field lacks examples of best-practices' demonstrating concretely how it is possible to support the sense of coherence in people with dementia. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the nurses' views concerning a caring approach that may support the sense of coherence in people with dementia. The data were collected through participant observation and focus group interviews during a four-month period in 2011. Sixteen registered nurses recruited from two Norwegian nursing homes participated in this study. The data were interpreted using a phenomenological-hermeneutical method. Three themes were identified: being in the moment', doing one thing at a time', and creating joy and contentment'. An overall interpretation of these themes is described by the metaphor slow nursing', a caring approach that may lead to supporting the sense of coherence in people with dementia.