The experiences of family members placing a relative into residential care : the move

This paper reports on an extensive literature review that focuses on family members' experiences of placing an older relative into residential care. Specific issues in the literature associated with the decision making process, including the decision to place a relative into a nursing home, are discussed. The search for a nursing home through to relocation of a relative into the facility and family members' emotional journeys through the entire relocation process are described. Placing a relative into a nursing home is a complex issue with family members being vulnerable after placement and often experiencing distress, loneliness, guilt and role confusion with unrelenting doubts about the placement decision and concern for their relatives' wellbeing. There is a clear need to pursue this research topic in the Australian context.