Resident contact with family and friends following nursing home admission

Abstract

Purpose: This study explored factors that are related to the level of contact (number of visits and calls) between newly admitted nursing home residents and their family and friends. In addition to reexamining factors studied previously, several new factors were explored: contact level prior to nursing home placement, dementia status, and resident race. Design and Methods: Interviews were conducted with the significant others of 1,441 residents from a representative sample of nursing homes in Maryland. Results: Contact decreased by approximately half following admission, compared to reported preadmission contact. Rates of contact are positively related to nonuse of Medicaid, kinship closeness, support network proximity, nondemented status, and White race. After controlling for preadmission contact, postadmission contact is positively associated with kinship closeness, support network proximity, nondemented status, and White race. Implications: The study identifies factors that are useful to consider when designing interventions to increase family involvement with nursing home residents. © 2001 The Gerontological Society of America.