Abstract
The main goal of this article is to analyze the structural links and communication between the nursing home (NH) and the family. It is a qualitative and exploratory-descriptive study based on the functional method from Niklas Luhmann. Data collection has been performed throughout interview with managers, elderly people and the communication observation at the NHs. It is observed that the family, when linked to the NH, looks for a partner to take care of the old person. On the other hand, the institution expects the family’s care for the aged person, too. The NH tries to maintain the affection ties. However, the problem is to consider the family as a client. The institution, due to lack of inclusion strategies, leaves the families out from their daily actions. The conclusion is that the NHs needs to establish more significant links and also more effective interactive systems with the families.
Homes for the aged; aged; family; affect; Institutionalization; systems theory