Supporting Relationships Between Family and Staff in Continuing Care Settings

Abstract

In this Canadian study, a participatory action research approach was used to examine the relationships between families of residents of traditional continuing care facilities and the health care team. The objectives were to (a) explore the formation and maintenance of family-staff relationships, with attention paid to the relational elements of engagement and mutual respect; (b) explore family and staff perspectives of environmental supports and constraints; and (c) identify practical ways to support and enhance these relationships. Results indicate that the resource-constrained context of continuing care has directly impacted family and staff relationships. The nature of these relationships are discussed using the themes of "Everybody Knows Your Name," "Loss and Laundry," "It's the Little Things That Count," and "The Chasm of Us Versus Them." Families' and staff's ideas of behaviors that support or undermine relationships are identified, as are concrete suggestions for improving family- staff relationships in traditional continuing care settings in Canada.

Moral Distress and the Contemporary Plight of Health Professionals

“…Similar things were revealed in a study of relationships between family and staff in continuing care settings (Austin et al 2009b). Families said that it is ''the little things'' that count for them (''that my mother's hair is combed and she is sitting comfortably in a chair'').…”

Family Caregivers’ Experiences in Nursing Homes: Narratives on Human Dignity and Uneasiness

“…Relational ethics, or relative, according to Edlund (2002), involves attempts to understand the other's situation, perspective and vulnerability, and require a true engagement with the other, according to Austin et al (2009). This may indicate a need for stronger ethical attention in nursing homes and an evident focus on dignity.…”

“…Family caregivers had no formal power to decide and they were all dependent on the system. Different types of relationships between family and staff was identified as collegial, professional, friendship, distanced and stressful, or as collaborative or carative relationships, according to Austin et al (2009). Relationships in caring should involve security, belonging, continuity, purpose and significance, according to Davies et al (2004).…”

“…Also incidents of lost clothing or damage to personal items appeared to be a source of much distress. According to the participants, clues of caring often lie in 'little' things, because little things represent personalised care which is important concerning human dignity (Austin et al 2009). Less time resources and reduction of work force is the enemy of sensitive and individual care.…”

Sense of community in long-term care: the views of family caregivers of elderly military veterans

“…However, SOC and community connectedness did not emerge as significant predictors of conflict with staff, although satisfaction with care and communication with staff did. Austin et al (2009) reported that chasms observed around communication between staff and families are the most significant source of conflict in LTC. Family members can easily misunderstand staff's actions if they are not completely explained by expressing the reasons behind the actions and decisions.…”