Transitioning to Long-term Care

In the first few months of living in a long-term care (LTC) facility, new residents often experience a loss of independence, privacy, and familiarity. As facilities care for many people, individual preferences are rarely met and residents are typically expected to comply with existing rules. This research examines this critical time when older adults first enter these facilities, and follows residents over an eight-month period. Readers will follow residents through this journey and learn about the problems they experienced and how they coped with these difficulties. Findings of the study are also relevant to Maslow's hierarchy of needs model, Goffman's theory of total institutions, and symbolic interactionist notions about identity changes subsequent to institutionalization. This book is addressed to students, researchers, and professionals in gerontology, social work, and nursing. It is also relevant for family members of older adults who want to learn more about LTC and about the critical importance of preparing their loved one for the move.