THE PROCESS AND CONSEQUENCES OF INSTITUTIONALIZING AN ELDER

This qualitative study was conducted to examine the decision-making pr ocess and its immediate consequences for family members who placed an elderly loved one in a long-term care facility. To explore issues rela ted to the placement process, in-depth interviews were conducted with 7 individuals who had recently (6 weeks or less) placed an older relat ive. Content analyses of the interviews were conducted, and several co mmon themes related to the decision-making process and outcomes emerge d. Most of the subjects had provided personal care for their elderly r elative, so placing their loved one in a nursing home often conflicted with their view of themselves as an ideal caregiver. During the proce ss of making the decision, although family members were given advice a nd suggestions by health care professionals, this input was viewed as inadequate or even detrimental. Ultimately, subjects described making the decision to place an elderly relative in a long-term care facility as a singular process involving ''I'' rather than ''we.'' The positiv e and negative role of friends emerged as an important influence durin g and after the placement process. The informal validation of the deci sion to place by peers was the one interaction that family members ide ntified as helpful during this process.