b"SUPPORTING FAMILIESBuilding relationshipswith families on admission dayGetting this right will make a profound differenceI f you work in long-term care, or have a loved one inThe admission day, as overwhelming and heartbreaking as a home, you know the real world of long-term care isit is for families, also represents a change in their role and not whats portrayed in the news. But the myths andidentity. But they havent been given a new job description misconceptions create a lot of anxiety and are amongas a residents family member, or what their responsibilities the biggest concerns that families have when theyreare as someone who is now a part of your long-termgrappling with the reality of their loved ones decliningcare community. health and the need to move them into a long-termcare home.Families are coming in with a lack of knowledge, are feeling overwhelmed with a myriad of emotions, and likely Families are coming in, before even meeting you anddont even realize how much their role is about to change. your team, with scepticism, doubt, anxiety and fear aboutFamilies are experiencing a knowledge gap, emotion gap the long-term care system and capacity. They haveand an identity gap. Most of your families never thought already created a narrative, based on their limiting beliefsthey'd be here.and assumptions, about all the things that could go wrong with this new and unknown arrangement.This means that youre starting the relationship with people who would rather not have to need you and your team Now mix in the guilt and grief families feel when theyand all the supports that long-term care provides, coupled realize that long-term care is the only option left, evenwith their narrative about long-term care, which is fuelling though friends and families keep asking why theyretheir anxiety and fear. That by no means diminishes the doing this to their loved one (Surely you can continuequality of care, quality of life and the love you give to your to take care of them at home, cant you?). residents and their families.Youre starting this key connection in what I call aOn the flip side, care team members have had experiences Relational Deficit. You dont have the advantage ofwhere families had expectations which long-term care isnt beginning in a neutral or positive position. In many cases,designed to meet, so they might worry and wonder what youre starting from a place where negative perceptionsthe new family is going to be like. Your staff may be feeling exist, which you need to overcome to build trust andanxious, worried and under pressure to make the first partnership with your new families.impression count.40 LONG TERM CARE TODAY Spring/Summer 2023"