Female Family Caregivers' Experiences During Nursing Home Admission: A Phenomenological Qualitative Study

Abstract

The experience of nursing home (NH) admission has a significant impact on older adults and their relatives. The aim of the current study is to describe the life experiences of female family caregivers ( N = 20) after long-stay NH admission of their relative. A qualitative phenomenological approach was followed with purposeful sampling. Data were collected over 18 months using unstructured interviews, letters, and diaries and were analyzed using systematic text condensation analysis. Three themes emerged: The Value of Experience: Deciding on Admission and Defending One's Criteria ; Living on Two Sides of the Same Coin ; and Maintaining Contact . Results provide insight into female caregivers' experiences of NH admission, which may improve relationships established between female family caregivers and NH staff and help inform the decision-making process. [ Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 45 (6), 33–43.]

‘You become their advocate’: The experiences of family carers as advocates for older people with dementia living in residential aged care

“…In most countries, the informal care of older people is primarily provided by women, who support older relatives to live independently for as long as possible (World Health Organization, 2015). Family members undertake caring for a multitude of reasons, most commonly being a sense of responsibility or emotional obligation reflecting long‐standing relationships; a belief that they can provide better care; or simply because no one else is available (Palacios‐Ceña et al, 2019).…”

“…Family carers may continue to visit their relative regularly, providing continuity, ensuring that their needs are maintained in their new ‘home’; and some remain actively involved in their care, providing social support and communicating with staff (Gaugler et al, 2003). These caregivers often feel that visiting their relative frequently maintains a sense of continuity but may also help to alleviate their own stress and provide validation for the decision to move their relative into residential aged care (Jacobson et al, 2015; Palacios‐Ceña et al, 2019).…”

“…These caregivers often feel that visiting their relative frequently maintains a sense of continuity but may also help to alleviate their own stress and provide validation for the decision to move their relative into residential aged care (Jacobson et al, 2015;Palacios-Ceña et al, 2019).…”

Factors contributing to the mental health outcomes of carers during the transition of their family member to residential aged care: a systematic search and narrative review

“…Not feeling welcome in RACF, being apprehensive or ill-informed about quality of care were adverse factors to carer’s adjustment [ 15 , 16 ]. Flow and transparency of information between carer and the facility staff, and staff support of regular visits prevented loneliness in the carers, and contributed to better mental health of carers [ 18 , 37 ]. Barken’s study reported the following from a participant: ‘ the more contact you have with the families even though it’s time- consuming, the more transparent you are, the more honest you are about the way things are here, you know, it’s really appreciated and the more on board families are ’.…”

“…I’m the familiarity of the past. But as far as physical care- I think I’m a lot of mental care, but no, no, there’s no physical care going on.’ Fewer visits of carers to the facility were also linked to significantly poorer relationships with staff [ 36 , 37 ].…”