This study examined interaction involving two older female residents and coresidents, care
givers, and others at a Canadian long-term care institution. Twenty-four hour videotapes
recorded each resident's behavior for 19 and 21 consecutive days, respectively. Interactions
initiated by residents, their caregivers, and their roommates were coded from video segments
occurring between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. Lag-sequential analyses revealed that nurses initiated most
of the interactions, followed by the residents themselves. Verbal contacts initiated by coresidents
and other visitors to the focus residents were scant. Contact is not random but occurs in
predictable sequences. The authors conclude that the nursing staff assumes the responsibility
for initiating a large proportion of verbal contact and for initiating caregiving. Implications of
the failure of residents to request care are discussed.
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