Grant: Travel Awards - Institute Community Support

Older adults with no family or friend support are likely to enter long term care homes. When a family member or friend is unavailable an older adult is 'unbefriended' and requires a government appointed public guardian. Our research tries to understand the characteristics and potentially unmet care needs of unbefriended residents in long term care. We interviewed thirty nine long term care staff and with three public guardians. We interviewed a variety of care staff (nurses, social workers, recreation, occupational therapy) and public guardians to examine the experience caring for unbefriended residents. Characteristics of unbefriended residents include mental health issues, substance abuse, previous homelessness, never marrying, and childlessness. Unbefriended residents do not have anyone to assist in multiple areas, e.g., one-on-one social interaction, accompanying them to outside appointments, purchasing personal items. Staff report significant issues with their care at the end of life. These residents often experience more aggressive medical intervention and experience more inappropriate practices such as repeated transfers to hospital. Unbefriended residents are lonely and socially isolated. Our presentation will discuss implications for policy and practice.