Supporting residents moving into long-term care: multiple layers shape residents' experiences

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Social Work
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Relocation to a long-term care home represents a significant life transition for older adults.
• Understanding residents' lived experiences is crucial for improving care and support during this process.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the retrospective accounts of residents who have relocated to a long-term care home.
• To identify the multifaceted conditions influencing the relocation and adjustment process.

Main Methods:

• Interpretive grounded theory methodology was employed.
• Data were collected through retrospective accounts from 10 residents.
• Analysis focused on the decision, preparations, moving day, and initial adjustment.

Main Results:

• Residents' experiences are shaped by a complex interplay of factors at individual, interpersonal, and systemic levels.
• The transitional process involves distinct temporal stages, each with unique influencing conditions.

Conclusions:

• Recommendations are proposed to enhance resident experiences across all layers and temporal stages of relocation.
• Findings have implications for social work practice, emphasizing support throughout the care continuum.