gms | German Medical Science

Background and Purpose: As the average length of stay of nursing home residents is decreasing, more elderly people are experiencing the transition to a nursing home. This is a critical life event for those affected. The purpose of this study was to examine how elderly people in need of care experience transition to a long term care facility.

Methods: Fifteen elderly people in Bavaria, who recently moved to a long term care facility, were interviewed about their experiences during the process of admission. They were asked to speak about the problems they were facing and how they managed to adapt to their new living situation.

Methodological and Theoretical Focus: The theoretical background of this study was based on the diathesis–stress-model and the action-theoretical-model about the transition to a nursing home.

Results: The nursing home residents were facing great changes in their lives. They had to leave their home, had to choose from among their properties those, which should be disposed of or earmark any properties, they may wish to bring with them. The greatest problems were to find social contact among the other residents and how to deal with the nursing staff shortage and great losses among their new social setting.

Conclusions: It was concluded that nursing staff plays an important role for new nursing home residents, as they are the first social contacts to make. Nurses should observe their behavior and support them when in need.