| Summary: | Dementia is a concept that describes different conditions when memory and cognitive abilities degenerate. Approximately 140 000 persons in Sweden suffers from some kind of dementia. Many are stricken with behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, BPSD. The aim of this study was to illuminate nursing staff’s experiences of caring for persons suffering from dementia and BPSD within municipal and institutional care. Four nurses, five assistant nurses and two nursing auxiliary participated in the study. Data were collected using a qualitative design via semi-structured interviews and were analyzed with content analysis and resulted in three categories: ” The experience of satisfaction and safety in the work; ”The experience of insecurity and insufficiency”; ”The experience of strength in work experience and skills”. The results showed that the staff feels secure with colleagues and with the way the group works when caring for persons suffering from dementia and BPSD. They feel a satisfaction in solving and managing with BPSD in a good way and are confident in interpreting the patient and understand the importance of appearance when caring for persons with dementia and BPSD. At the same time they have a wish and a need for supervision and education. They are of the opinion that the lack of resources, mainly too little staff, creates more situations with BPSD. In these situations they feel exposed. The results in the study are important knowledge and can be used by nurses, head of department and other job types in leading roles with the aim to increase understanding for and improve the working situation for nursing staff in the care of persons with dementia and BPSD, and within development work in dementia care.
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