Family members'perception of the quality of nursing home care

Abstract

SUMMARYThis study investigated the extent to which factors not directly related to the caregiving situation predicted family members' perceptions of the quality of nursing home care their elderly relative received. A conceptual model based on consumer satisfaction theory was used to test the extent to which factors associated with family members' expectations for care and their emotional response to the nursing home placement predicted perceptions of quality among 452 relatives representing the residents of two skilled care facilities. The entire model accounted for 27% of the variation in quality assessments. Attitudes towards nursing homes in general, length of resident stay and emotional responses to the placement (concern about the racelethnicity of caregivers, caregiver burden and caregiver emotional distress) were found to be significant predictors of perceptions of quality.

The quality of nursing home care: do the opinions of family members change after implementation of emotion‐oriented care?

“…In some cases the researchers used new measuring instruments, not yet validated or tested for reliability (Lavizzo‐Mourey et al . 1992, Grau et al . 1995).…”

“…(1997) indicate that family members possibly overrate the quality of care. Grau et al . (1995) suggest that this overvaluing is caused in part by the interest that family members have in a good relationship with nursing home staff.…”

“…1997). It is, however, fair to assume that questioning relatives about the care that is offered can yield useful information (Grau et al . 1995, Kellett 1999).…”

“…For example, their judgement may be influenced by factors not directly related to the care offered, such as their general opinion on nursing homes, duration of the institutionalization, emotional reactions (including sadness, guilt) to the admission of their loved one to the nursing home and the frequency of visits to the nursing home resident (Braun & Rose 1987, de Lange 1990, Collier et al . 1994, Grau et al . 1995, Buckwalter et al .…”

Family members’ perceptions of pain and distress related to analgesics and psychotropic drugs, and quality of care of elderly nursing home residents

“…1995). However, measuring residents’ perception of quality of care is difficult because the majority of nursing home residents in Sweden suffer from mental impairments which limit their ability to provide reliable information (Grau et al . 1995, National Swedish Board of Health and Welfare 2000).…”