| Abstract: | The institutionalization of an elderly person is a crisis for the family. Using case illustrations, this article presents three major factors affecting family reactions and adjustment (the expectations of society, family roles and expectations, and the impact of the move upon daily family life), suggests that nursing home placement be viewed as a step in the normal family life cycle, and discusses ways in which rituals could be used to ease the tradition to the post-placement phase of the family. |
