Abstract
A focus group methodology was employed to elicit information from Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) about their views of the personality, social, institutional and cultural factors that affect the success or failure of elders' adaptation to nursing home life. The focus group (N = 6) was conducted in one long-term care facility. CNAs identified three themes that represent the process of successful adaptation to the nursing home. Emotional displacement was followed by a period of assimilation and acceptance. Resident personality, social, institutional and cultural characteristics that may affect each stage of the process are described. This study supports previous findings regarding the contribution of social-environmental elements in the adjustment process. CNA perceptions of factors that assist elders during the transition process proved to be a valuable source of information.
•Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) provide valuable insight into factors affecting elders' adaptation to long term care.•Themes that represent the process of successful adaptation were identified.•Themes of emotional displacement, assimilation and acceptance were described.•Personality, social and cultural factors play a role in the transition process.•The value of the CNA as informant for vulnerable elders was confirmed by this study.