The focus of this study was to determine what types of
information and support families wanted at the time they admitted a
relative to a long-term care facility. Twenty families were interviewed
by telephone, including both the primary caregiver and, where
appropriate caregiving family members. It was found that half of
the families felt they wanted no additional information or support
than they had received, and that they were basically satisfied with
the facility's admission process. The majority of the families felt
that the institution also encouraged their continued involvement
with their relatives after admission.
The results suggest that researchers and practitioners need to
be aware, however, that the admission process if often a stressful
time, and that family members may be so involved in making long-term
care arrangements that they do not focus on their own needs, but
only on those of the elderly patient. Support services and information should be provided on an individual basis, considering such
factors as whether the caregiver is employed full-time and the distance the caregiver lives from the facility.
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