Journal of Gerontological Nursing
Vol. 34 No. 11 November 2008
By Ronald J. Walent, PhD, RN, CNS-BC; Jeanie Kayser-Jones, PhD, RN, FAAN
ABSTRACT
As part of an ethnographic study exploring what it means for nursing home residents to “do well,” we examined patterns of advocacy on which they relied to have an effective voice. The purposive sample included 17 older, long-stay residents from a for-profit chain nursing home and a large public skilled nursing facility. Data collection included in-depth interviews, participant observation, and document review. Depending on personal history, health status, and facility context, participants relied on family and friends, trusted staff, fellow residents, or themselves as advocates. Although residents varied in their abilities and willingness to express concerns, a program matching staff advocates with residents at the chain nursing home fostered participants’ sense that they were heard and their needs addressed. Attending to patterns of advocacy and the effect of the nursing home environment on resident communication are essential for individualizing care and promoting systems to ensure residents have a voice and are heard.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Dr. Walent is a Post-Doctoral Scholar, Department of Physiological Nursing and Division of Geriatrics, and Dr. Kayser-Jones is Professor Emerita, School of Nursing and Medical Anthropology Program, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California.
The authors disclose that they have no significant financial interests in any product or class of products discussed directly or indirectly in this activity. Funding for this research was provided by the John A. Hartford Foundation Building Academic Geriatric Nursing Capacity Scholars Program and by the University of California School of Nursing Century Fund.
The authors acknowledge all those who participated in this study: families, nursing facility staff, and especially the residents who so willingly shared their stories and reflections.
Address correspondence to Ronald J. Walent, PhD, RN, CNS-BC, Post-Doctoral Scholar, Department of Physiological Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, Box 0610, San Francisco, CA 94143-0610; e-mail: ronald.walent@ucsf.edu.
