Needs-based offers and gender-specific aspects in nursing homes

Nursing and care that consider individual and biographically shaped impressions requires, among other things sensitivity for the specific needs of persons in need of care. A representative survey was conducted among directors of nursing homes to provide information about the importance of gender-specific aspects in nursing. In a written survey 516 directors of German resident care facilities were interviewed about their attitudes and perceptions regarding the subject, about information on general and gender-specific offers and about demographic information on the management of nursing homes. Activities specifically considering the needs of men and women (gender-specific 43.1 %) are not widespread in the nursing homes surveyed. Most respondents reasoned that there was no demand for such offers (57.1 %) or that they are dispensable due to the composition of residents (47.6 %). Of the respondents 36.4 % saw specific needs more with women than with men (18.4 %). Nevertheless, the need for male-specific activities is given a relatively high priority. The consideration of gender aspects in the planning of care processes (57.0 %) and the regular reflection of gender issues (20.7 %) are strongly correlated with the existence of gender-specific offers, while structural factors, such as the institution size and the education of nursing home directors are not. Currently, gender-specific activity offers in nursing facilities are not widespread. Existing offers are mostly based on traditional gender stereotypes; therefore, it would be desirable if the diversity in the reality of life and the individual needs of women and men would be recognized.