Always on alert: How relatives of family members with dementia experience the transition from home to permanent nursing home placement

Abstract

Aim: Our aim was to gain insight into how the relatives of family members with dementia have experienced their family members' transition from home to permanent nursing home placement. Design: Our research was a qualitative case study. Methods: Inspired by Kvale and Brinkmann's phenomenological-hermeneutic approach, we performed the thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews describing how the relatives of family members with dementia have experienced the dementia trajectory. Results: Twelve relatives of family members with dementia living in nursing homes agreed to participate. The descriptions of relatives' experiences indicated four primary themes: mismatches between healthcare services and the family members' needs, witnessing the family members' cognitive decline, the effects of the experiences on the relatives' health and well-being and what matters to the relatives during their family members' transition to nursing home. Mismatches between available resources in the municipalities and the family members' healthcare needs were the most distressing experiences, along with the family members' gradual cognitive decline. In response, the relatives stressed individualized support, continuity in follow-up care and regular information-sharing between them and staff members caring for their family members. They also highlighted the importance of facilitating seamless transitions from home to nursing homes.