Family visitation on special care units.
1 With placement of a family member with Alzheimer's disease on a SCU, the family does not relinquish the caregiving role, rather they take on different roles in relation to the residents. 2 Family visitation of the residents on the SCU is an integral part of family involvement in care of individuals with Alzheimer's disease, as well as SCU functioning. 3 Within the context of changing relationships with the residents, family members visited the residents as a sense of duty to "be faithful," to monitor care by "being their eyes and ears," and to foster a sense of family through ongoing relationships and family rituals. 4 Nurses have critical roles in promoting physical, emotional, and interactive environments which foster family visitation on SCUs.
Kelley
L S
LS
University of Iowa, College of Nursing, Iowa City 52242-1121, USA.
Swanson
E
E
Maas
M L
ML
Tripp-Reimer
T
T
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000451:nursing*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D012866:Skilled Nursing Facilities; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014789:Visitors to Patients / Q000523:psychology*