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British Journal of Social Work (2000) 30, 649-661
© 2000 British Association of Social Workers

The role of family care-givers for an older person resident in a care home

F Wright

Age Concern Institute of Gerontology King's College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street, London SE1 8WA, UK

Summary

A sample of 61 relatives of residents admitted during the preceding three years to 35 independent sector nursing or residential care homes in four local authority areas was interviewed. This sample included spouses, daughters and sons. Five discrete roles for family care-givers in the care homes were described: checking the quality of care, companionship, handling the cared-for person with personal care. Although family care-givers described themselves as very satisfied with the care homes as a whole, as many as half were worried about some aspect of care. A third of the offspring felt that their relationship with the cared-for person had improved following the admission to a care home. None of the spouses felt this to be the case and most felt that their relationship had deteriorated. Spouses tended to visit very frequently. Unlike offspring, spouses rarely took the cared-for person out of the care home. Because of the lack of privacy, visits could be a difficult experience. Those wanting to continue giving their partner practical support were discouraged by staff from doing so. The research has implications for social workers, care home proprietors and registration and inspection units in encouraging care homes to adopt more 'relative friendly' policies.


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