Exploring the Lived Experiences of the Administrative Staff of a Long-Term Care Facility: A Phenomenological Approach

The process of admission of typically older residents has been greatly examined from the perspectives of the residents and their family members/caregivers. However, the viewpoint of the administrative staff directly involved in this process has been left relatively unexamined. The central focus of this study was to answer the question of: What are the lived experiences of Long-Term Care (LTC) administrative staff working with families/caregivers during the admissions process? A phenomenological approach was undertaken to highlight the admissions process and the associated duties of the participants, as well as the intangible and emotional experiences of the administrative staff working within the pressurized LTC system. Findings were evaluated and compared to extant literature to provide novel deductions and future research directions were highlighted accordingly.