Managing privacy boundaries: Health providers’ perceptions of resident care in Scottish nursing homes

Abstract

As people age, they experience privacy loss due to health care needs. This is particularly true for those in nursing homes. Consequently, balancing care giving of elders with respect for privacy boundaries represents a challenge to health care providers. This study investigates privacy concerns for elderly in Scottish nursing homes from the care‐giver's perspective. Scotland was the target country because the British in general, and Scottish in particular, have higher privacy needs than many other countries, especially the United States. Focusing on a country with high privacy expectations amplifies the privacy issues to better assess ways to address these concerns. From a thematic analysis of indepth interviews using the Communication Management of Privacy theory, this research identifies the way the care‐givers and elderly negotiate a relational privacy boundary when managing possessions and territory. As the care‐givers and elders grow interdependent, they coordinate the way the elders’ privacy is controlled and regulated for the privacy resources of possessions and territory. Based on this research, suggestions are made for long‐term elder care.