Family Members' Experience With Hospice in Nursing Homes.
L Ashley Gage, Karla Washington, Debra Parker Oliver, Robin Kruse, Alexandra Lewis, George Demiris
Author Information
L Ashley Gage: Department of Social Work, University of Nebraska-Kearney, Kearney, NE, USA.
Karla Washington: Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.
Debra Parker Oliver: Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA oliverdr@missouri.edu.
Robin Kruse: Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.
Alexandra Lewis: Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.
George Demiris: Biobehavioral Nursing and Health Systems, School of Nursing & Biomedical and Health Informatics, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
Research has documented numerous benefits and challenges associated with receipt of hospice care in nursing homes; however, study of this partnership from the perspective of residents' family members has been limited. The purpose of this qualitative investigation was to explore family members' experience with hospice services received in the nursing home setting. Researchers conducted a secondary data analysis of 175 family member interviews using a thematic analytic approach. Findings highlighted the critical role of communication in supporting residents and their family members. Care coordination, support and oversight, and role confusion also impacted family members' experience of hospice care in the nursing home. Efforts directed at enhancing communication and more clearly articulating the roles of members of the health care team are indicated.
