Trust of Nursing Home Staff Caring for Residents with Advanced Dementia: A Qualitative Descriptive Study of Family Caregivers' Perspectives

Background/objectives: Studies of interpersonal trust within nursing homes (NHs) is limited. This study aimed to describe the perspectives of interpersonal trust in NH staff among family caregivers of residents with advanced dementia. Additionally, comparisons of Black and White caregivers' perspectives were also explored.

Design: We used data generated from a parent study, Assessment of Disparities and Variation for Alzheimer's disease Nursing home Care at End of life (ADVANCE) to examine the experience of trust from the family caregivers' perspectives.

Participants: Data generated from interviews with 44 family caregivers of residents with advanced dementia (Black n = 19 and White n = 25) were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results/conclusions: While both Black and White family caregivers experienced trust and mistrust, Black caregivers more often experienced differential mistrust. As differential mistrust is a new concept relative to trust, additional research is required to elucidate its meaning.

Design: We used data generated from a parent study, Assessment of Disparities and Variation for Alzheimer's disease Nursing home Care at End of life (ADVANCE) to examine the experience of trust from the family caregivers' perspectives.

Participants: Data generated from interviews with 44 family caregivers of residents with advanced dementia (Black n = 19 and White n = 25) were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results/conclusions: While both Black and White family caregivers experienced trust and mistrust, Black caregivers more often experienced differential mistrust, trust for certain staff members and mistrust of others. As differential mistrust is a new concept relative to trust, additional research is required to elucidate its meaning.