Daily Life Stressors in Long Term Care: A View From the Inside.

Frequent questions arise from residents and their families/friends in long term care regarding their care and comfort. These questions are usually, though not always, directed primarily to the nursing staff and therefore are not available to geriatric psychiatrists who care for these residents. The author of this essay is now an independent living resident in a continuing care community. He has assumed the role of chair of the Resident's Health Committee. In this position his eyes have been opened to many daily life experiences in long-term care. Given the typical focus of the psychiatric interview in such facilities, these questions often do not reach the ears of clinicians.