Family Communications

Maria Finster Úlfarsson, a nurse in northern Iceland, is in the midst of conducting three studies regarding the experiences of relatives of nursing home residents.  In addition to her studies, Úlfarsson advocates for the adoption of surveys in more long-term care facilities in order to get a better sense of the needs of relatives. She explains that such questionnaires will open communication between relatives and caregivers and improve the quality of service facilities are able to offer, ultimately improving the resident’s experience.

As she says, “This way, we support both the relatives and their parents. If the relative feels good, the resident feels good too.”

Úlfarsson’s studies also found differences between how daughters and sons typically approach relationships with their mothers in nursing homes. Daughters tend to prioritize closer ties to the mother, and their relationships may even improve while in the nursing home. Meanwhile, sons preferred to maintain more distance and independence from their mother in the nursing home.

Her next study will examine the differing experiences and habits of sons versus daughters when their mothers are in nursing homes.

In the end, Úlfarsson stresses the importance for facilities to interact with relatives to support and understand their experiences and needs as well as those of the residents’.