ABSTRACT
Questionnaires were sent to relatives on three occasions, shortly after each of the three resident interviews. The relatives were not necessarily next of kin — the criterion was that they were to be the most likely to visit or keep in contact with the resident. It can be seen that daughters were the largest group of respondents, although a significant number of sons also completed questionnaires. 'Other relatives' included cousins, nieces and nephews. A number of those who did not enjoy their visits added notes to their questionnaires to explain that this was not because of a problem with the home, but because they found it distressing to see the resident in any home, or reduced to so ill or disabled a state. The experience of the majority of the relatives at residents early stage was that staff were always available to answer any questions they might have.
