When it is more than a job: close relationships between home health aides and older clients

Abstract

Objectives: A qualitative study was conducted to investigate the types of relationships that were formed between older clients and their home health aides and to identify structural characteristics and interactive processes that facilitated various types of relationships.

Methods: Using semistructured interviews, members of 16 families and their home health aides described the relationships that developed between clients and aides and the conditions and contexts that facilitated or inhibited close relationship development. Data were coded and analyzed using a multistage process.

Results: Most relationships between aides and older clients were described as friendship or like one of the family, with friendship occurring most often. Several structural conditions and numerous interactive friendship processes were identified. The cognitive process of boundary setting discriminated between friendships and family-like relationships.

Discussion: Results show support for socioemotional selectivity theory and highlight the benefits of close relationships for older homebound adults and their home health aides.