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Social Workers' Perceptions of Family Distress at Long-Term Care Placement

Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine how social workers in long-term care (LTC) facilities in Massachusetts responded to the emotional distress frequently experienced by family members of elder relatives who were being placed. The subjects were 71 social workers randomly selected from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health's 1998 Directory of Long-Term Care Facilities in Massachusetts. A mailed survey asked how often they encountered situations in which family members experienced distress in placing a relative in LTC, which family members encountered the greatest amount of distress, and which had the greatest difficulty adjusting. The survey inquired about what types of social services were currently in place to provide for distressed family members, and if social workers were aware of existing programs in the field. Although 72% of social workers responded that they offered some form of counseling, less than half of the social workers surveyed were confident that their efforts met the needs of family members who were distressed. Sixty-two percent of social workers reported that they would be willing to review a potential design program dealing with family distress, would be willing to develop such a program, or would be willing to participate in such a program. This study indicates that emotional distress of family members is commonly encountered and that greater emphasis must be placed on the need to assist family members with adjustment.