Samantha Sterns Livres

The book explores the initial experiences of older adults transitioning into long-term care facilities, highlighting the challenges of losing independence and adapting to a new environment. By following residents over eight months, it reveals their coping mechanisms and the impact of institutionalization on identity. The research connects to Maslow's hierarchy of needs and Goffman's theory of total institutions, making it a valuable resource for students, researchers, and professionals in gerontology, social work, and nursing, as well as families preparing for such transitions.

In the first few months of living in a long-term care (LTC) facility, new residents often experience a loss of independence, privacy, and familiarity. As facilities care for many people, individual preferences are rarely met and residents are typically expected to comply with existing rules. This research examines this critical time when older adults first enter these facilities, and follows residents over an eight-month period. Readers will follow residents through this journey and learn about the problems they experienced and how they coped with these difficulties. Findings of the study are also relevant to Maslow's hierarchy of needs model, Goffman's theory of total institutions, and symbolic interactionist notions about identity changes subsequent to institutionalization. This book is addressed to students, researchers, and professionals in gerontology, social work, and nursing. It is also relevant for family members of older adults who want to learn more about LTC and about the critical importance of preparing their loved one for the move.