Predictor of family member involvement in nursing homes
editFamilies often remain involved in the care of loved ones after nursing home (NH) placement. This study examines the predictors of three family involvement outcomes: visiting, providing direct care, and communicating with staff. The primary family contact of a census-proportionate, random sample of NH residents was surveyed in a 2012 biennial, state-mandated survey of family satisfaction with care. Multilevel models examined resident, family member, and facility predictors for each family involvement outcome (N = 14,979 individuals; 839 facilities). Findings suggest that the perceptions family members have of the NH staff and living environment influence their involvement. Families visited less frequently and provided lower levels of personal care when they liked the facility overall, felt that residents looked well-groomed and cared for, received adequate medical information from staff, and viewed staff as friendly. On the other hand, increased frequency of visiting was associated with receiving adequate information at admission and the perceived availability of administration to talk, factors that also contributed to more communication with staff. In addition, family members communicated more with staff when they perceived the staff as friendly and residents appeared well-groomed and cared for. Other predictors of increased family involvement included family relationship (e.g., spouses), lower physical functioning of residents, expected short-term stay, and urban location. All findings were significant at p<0.05. Prior research has linked family involvement to resident quality of life and family satisfaction with care. These findings can inform interventions to promote increased meaningful family involvement in NHs.