Satisfaction with nursing home care of a relative: does inviting greater input make a difference?

This study examined whether a formal invitation to have greater involvement in the nursing home care of their relatives resulted in increased satisfaction in former care-givers. The conceptual framework guiding the study was based on Roy's Adaptation model of Nursing (Roy 1984, 1989), since it was believed that the intervention might aid the adaptation of family members to the institutionalisation of a close friend or relative. Increased satisfaction with care was measured as evidence of adaptation. In the study, 31 former care-givers were randomly assigned to two groups, one of which was offered greater involvement in care. Of the participants in the experimental group, the four who accepted this opportunity all had relatives admitted in the past 6 months. After 6 weeks there was no significant difference between the groups. Trends suggest that similar programs may be most useful in the early months following admission, while care-givers are in the process of adapting to their new circumstances. It appears that nursing staff must be sensitive to the different needs for involvement in the care of relatives.