Satisfaction with caring and living conditions in nursing homes: views of elderly persons, next of kin and staff members.

The aim was to describe satisfaction with the caring and living conditions of elderly persons in nursing homes, expressed by the elderly persons, next of kin and staff members. Elderly persons were interviewed about their caring and living conditions. Next of kin and staff members completed a questionnaire about satisfaction with caring and living conditions of elderly persons. The main results showed significantly low levels of satisfaction regarding: altered health, influence on care, rehabilitation and meaningful occupation, as expressed by the elderly persons. Next of kin stated low satisfaction with staff contacts, influence on care, rehabilitation from staff and meaningful occupation for their elderly relatives. Staff members expressed low satisfaction with influence on care and meaningful occupation. The results present important evidence to guide the heads of nursing homes and those responsible for elderly care, which will help to improve the caring and living conditions of elderly persons.