Relatives' experience of nursing home admissions: preliminary study

Abstract

Objective: As the first of a three-phase study examining nursing home admissions, the current paper reports on relatives’ subjective experience of admitting an older family member to a nursing home. Methods: Fifty-eight relatives from northern New South Wales (NSW) and South Australia who had admitted a family member into an aged care home were interviewed. Results: A broad range of positive and negative experiences were recounted by relatives who had been involved in a nursing home admission of a family member. Although there was a diversity of responses, a number of common themes were identified in the interviews. These included the inability to cope with supporting an older person, difficulties in finding a nursing home, disheartening admission processes, and a broad range of emotional responses including guilt, distress and relief. Conclusions: Admission of a family member to a nursing home can be a difficult and emotional time for relatives. The complex and sensitive nature of this process highlights the importance of recognition and support for relatives from health care professionals in aged care.