Relocation experiences with unplanned admission to a nursing home: a qualitative study

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Sociology
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• High rates of unplanned nursing home admissions for individuals over 85 in Switzerland (43%) compared to the USA (32.5%) and Germany (19%).
• Lack of research on the impact of unplanned nursing home admissions on elderly adaptation.
• Significant demographic shifts necessitate understanding the transition process for older adults.

Purpose of the Study:

• To gain an in-depth understanding of unplanned admissions to nursing homes.
• To explore the impact of these admissions on the adaptation process of elderly individuals.
• To develop a framework for analyzing adaptation patterns in this population.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative interview design utilizing Meleis' transition model.
• Secondary data analysis guided by Mayring's qualitative content analysis.
• Face-to-face interviews with 31 elderly participants (over 77 years) in Switzerland (January-March 2013).

Main Results:

• Four distinct patterns of adaptation emerged: "being cut-off," "being restricted," "being cared for," and "moving on."
• These patterns provide a nuanced view of how individuals navigate relocation into nursing homes.
• The findings offer insights into the stages of adaptation following unplanned admissions.

Conclusions:

• A novel model for analyzing adaptation patterns after unplanned nursing home admissions is presented.
• This model can aid healthcare professionals in understanding and supporting elderly patients during this transition.
• Further research can build upon this framework to improve care and outcomes for this vulnerable population.