FAMILY MANAGEMENT OF THE NURSING HOME PLACEMENT PROCESS

Objective. This study examines the experiences of the caregiver involved in the placement process of an older family member into a nursing home facility. Background. The caregiving journey is both complex and challenging. Family caregivers provide many time and labor intensive tasks that have been associated with increased stress and burden. Caregivers are often unable to maintain care at home and have to consider nursing home placement. The caregiver’s role within the nursing home placement process and their continued responsibility post-placement has not been well explored. Methods. This qualitative descriptive study utilized the Family Management Style Framework to understand how caregivers define, manage, 33 and perceive the consequences of the nursing home placement process. 10 primary family caregivers were interviewed shortly after placement and then again 3-months post-placement. The results of the study were organized to understand the contextual influences of each individual case and to explore differences and similarities across cases and over time. Results. Caregivers had similarities across key aspects of the caregiving experience, especially caregivers with similar types of familial relationships (e.g., spousal caregivers and adult-children caregivers). The spousal caregivers described the caregiving to be a natural part of their partnership and continued to maintain responsibility for their family member’s needs post-placement. The adult-children caregivers viewed familial responsibility and obligation as guiding their approach to care and continued involvement post-placement. Conclusion. Healthcare professionals appreciating the perceptions and experiences of primary family caregivers undergoing a crucial transition is an important step in being able to address the needs of caregivers and older adults. Grants. This study was funded by the University of Illinois at Chicago Chancellor’s Education Award Fund; Illinois Area Health Centers Network, Health Professions Student/Fellowship Grant; Midwest Nursing Research Society Dissertation Research Grant; Sigma Theta Tau International, Alpha Lambda Chapter Research Award; and the University of Illinois at Chicago Seth and Denise Rosen Research Awar