Maintaining Old, Developing New: Social Relationships of Lithuanian Older Adults After Relocation to a Residential Care Facility
Jūratė Charenkova
After relocating to a residential care facility, older adults experience notable changes in their social networks, which can greatly affect their well-being. This study aimed to examine these changes across three domains: relationships with family members, other residents and staff. Research data were collected through 25 qualitative, semi-structured interviews with Lithuanian older adults conducted from June 2017 to January 2019. The constructivist grounded theory and the self-determination theory were utilised for data analysis and interpretation. Findings reveal that new residents’ well-being and satisfaction of the three basic psychological needs — autonomy, competence, and relatedness — are challenged after relocation. Many experienced reduced frequency and emotional closeness in family relationships. Relationships with other residents varied based on shared interests, personal histories, and health, with some forming close friendships and others remaining isolated. Staff played a key role in fostering social connections and a sense of belonging. Overall, the quality and context of social interactions strongly influenced older adults’ ability to meet psychological needs and maintain well-being in a new environment. These findings emphasise the importance of person-centred support strategies in enhancing well-being and reducing loneliness after relocation. Implications for relational social work and future research are discussed in more depth in the paper.
Keywords
Relocation to a residential care facility, Social relationships, Social work, Well-being, Self-determination.
