title: Aging and place in long-term care settings: influences on social relationships.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This article presents results of a qualitative research study that examined how living in a long-term care (LTC) home influences the quality of residents' relationships with peers, family members, and outside friends.
  
  
  METHODS
  Semistructured interviews using a phenomenological approach were conducted with 23 residents of a LTC home. Thematic analysis was employed to illuminate residents' perspectives on the nature of social relationships in this setting.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four key themes were identified that highlight the role of place in social relationships. Residing in a LTC home influences the context of social interactions, impacts their quality and process, clusters individuals with health and functional declines that hinder socialization, and poses structural and cultural barriers that impede social interactions. Health and functional limitations posed the greatest challenge to socialization relative to characteristics of the facility itself.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Residents' insights emphasize how personal characteristics influence community culture and the experience of place.
authors.affiliation: Arizona State University, Phoenix, USA robin.bonifas@asu.edu.
authors.forename: Robin P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Bonifas
authors.affiliation: University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Kelsey
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Simons
authors.affiliation: Baycrest, Rotman Research Institute, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Biel
authors.affiliation: Arizona State University, Phoenix, USA.
authors.forename: Christie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kramer
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D033062:Friends / Q000523:psychology; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009735:Nursing Homes; D010379:Peer Group; D036301:Qualitative Research
keywords: health and functional limitations; impact of place; long-term care; social relationships