The Challenges of Moving from Regular Nursing Homes toward Innovative Long-Term Care Settings: An Interpretative Description Study of Staff Experiences

This study examined how staff experiences a relocation from a regular to an innovative living arrangement and what procedures are followed. Semi-structured interviews and observations were conducted. Staff (N = 41) were included if they worked at the selected locations (N = 3). Staff reported feeling lost physically and emotionally. They stressed the importance of constructive communication and collaboration and having a say in the physical environment. Staff acknowledged the opportunities of the new environment, but also experienced several challenges when relocating and working in an innovative environment. This study showed that relocating is a stressful undertaking for staff. The help they needed in adjusting to a new environment, and to a new way of working, was underestimated.