[Family caregivers' experiences utilizing a nursing home for their elderly family members].
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the experiences of the family caregivers using a nursing home for their elderly family members.


METHODS
Participants for this study were 1 man and 9 women caregivers. Data was collected through in-depth interviews from October, 2005 to April, 2006 and analyzed using Strauss and Corbin's grounded theory methodology.


RESULTS
"Finding a way to live together" emerged as a core category and it reflected expanding consciousness allowing them to see each other in a more positive view. The basic social process of "finding a way to live together" includes 3 phases: 1) recognizing the problems, 2) finding solutions to the problems, and 3) accepting the changes in their surrounding. Lack of privacy, family troubles, extreme distress, and unavailable caregivers are reflected in the process of recognizing the problems. The process of finding solutions was making a decision, obtaining family agreement, choosing the best nursing home, and enduring the financial burden. Possible outcomes of the last phase include recovering peace of mind and continuing conflict.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings from this study offer suggestions for developing a strategy to help not only the elderly but also the family caregivers.
Hong
Sun-Woo
SW
College of Nursing, Seoul National University.
Son
Haeng-Mi
HM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003657:Decision Making; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009735:Nursing Homes; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological