Abstract
Within residential care policy and practice, family involvement is highly valued for the support offered to residents. However, within the research and policy agendas only limited attention has been given to family perspectives on their participation in residential care. This paper reports on qualitative research exploring the purpose and meaning of visiting from the perspective of spouses who have placed a long-term partner in a nursing home. In-depth interviews were conducted with 18 spouses who had placed a partner in care. An analysis of the interview texts revealed that visiting was embedded in the relationship, role, and history of the long-term marriage. Visiting provided a focus for daily life, continuity in history and identity, help with avoiding loneliness, and a means of expressing attachment and commitment. An improved understanding of family perspectives is essential if family roles in nursing homes are not to be shaped solely by organisational and resident care perspectives.
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