Learning Objective #1: Describe the structure of the social networks of rural nursing home residents

Learning Objective #2: Identify nursing home, resident, and visitor attributes that are associated with increased social contact for rural nursing home residents

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The maintenance of contact with family and friends is crucial to the well being and quality of life of nursing home residents. Identifying barriers to visiting is, therefore, of vital importance. This research was conducted in order to describe the frequency and duration of visiting to rural nursing homes, to better understand those factors which are associated with frequent visiting at these nursing homes and to identify barriers to such visiting. This large quantitative study, funded by a university scholarship, has used a multi-method data collection approach involving three data collection points. This involved the collection of data from; a close family member of each nursing home resident, the Director of Nursing at each of the thirteen nursing homes in the New England area and a visitor's survey diary placed at the entrance of each of the nursing homes. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine which variables were the best predictors of both frequency of visit and duration of visit. These significant predictors include; the relationship between the visitor and the resident, the resident's degree of dementia and place of residence prior to nursing home admission, the distance the visitor travelled to the nursing home, the method of transport the visitor used and the integration of the nursing home into the local community. The insights into the size and composition of the social networks of rural nursing home residents and the determinants of visiting gained through this study will be presented. A discussion of the implications for nursing home policy on visiting which will have a significant impact on policy planners, nursing home administration, and resident and family groups will also be presented.