The purpose of this qualitative study was to learn more about the relationships that families develop with staff who work in the facilities in which their relatives live. Data were collected through participant observation in two long-term care facilities and through personal interviews with 61 family members. Five types of relationships emerged from the data, including relationships that were “collegial,” “professional,” “friendship,” “distant,” and “tense”. Several factors appeared to be associated with positive relationships developed between families and staff, including contact with purpose, shared experiences, and issues of trust. Families also reported a number of benefits from developing positive relationships with staff.
