[Purpose] The purpose of this study is to clarify the kind of care provided to elderly residents with dementia by Professional caregivers and nurses of unit-type nursing homes. [Methods] Focus group interviews were conducted with 11 Professional caregivers from six facilities and five nurses from five facilities, to ask them about their daily care services for demented elderly residents. [Results] As care services provided to demented elderly residents by Professional caregivers, 9 categories and 33 subcategories were extracted. As care services provided by nurses, 8 categories and 29 subcategories were extracted. [Discussion] To help demented elderly residents happily live out their remaining years, both Professional caregivers and nurses, by making full use of their specialized knowledge and skills, provided care and support to residents so as to ensure that they could lead a safe and comfortable daily life, using their remaining abilities. While in close contact with residents and their families, (which is possible at unit-type nursing homes), the care staff tried to provide attentive and appropriate care, using their ingenuity.

【目的】ユニットケアを導入している特別養護老人ホームにおいて,認知症高齢者にかかわるケアスタッフがどのようなケアを実践しているのかを明らかにする。【方法】6施設の介護職者11名および5施設の看護職者5名に対し,認知症高齢者に対する日常のケアについてフォーカスグループインタビューを実施した。調査期間は平成19年10月であった。【結果】実践している認知症ケアの内容について,介護職者は9つのカテゴリーと33のサブカテゴリーに,看護職者は8つのカテゴリーと29のサブカテゴリーに分類された。【考察】両職者はそれぞれの専門性を活かしながら,入居者の残された時間が最期まで輝き続けるために,その人らしい能力を発揮しながら,日々を安心かつ安全に過ごせるようなケアを提供していた。そのケアは,ユニットゆえに入居者・家族と近い存在の中で,創意工夫を繰り返しながら丁寧に行われていた。