Long-term care for older adults. The role of the family.

Family members are involved in all aspects of a frail or ill older adult's care before, during, and after admission into a long-term care facility. However, their role within the facility is not always clearly defined. This article addresses issues regarding facility policies and staff attitudes toward family involvement, particularly whether the family member is seen as an integral part of the care system or peripheral to the care system. An emphasis is placed on the use of open communication to prevent misunderstandings and disagreements between staff and family and to promote good quality care and acceptable quality of life for the resident.