The changing hopes, worries, and community supports of individuals moving from a closing long-term care facility

This study examines client's hopes, worries, and social networks before, one year, and two years following release from a long-term care facility. More clients expressed hopes than worries before closure but, over time, hopes decreased and worries increased significantly. Before closing, independence was cited most often as a hope, followed by work and finances. Criminal opportunities headed up concerns, followed by mental health treatment, finances, living arrangements and independence. Over time, respondents were less excited about independence and living arrangements but more hopeful about social opportunities and everyday practicalities. Worries relating to family increased while concerns about deviance decreased. Respondents reported an average increase in network ties but the proportion of family members decreased while professional supports and ties with former CSH patients increased. The trends highlight particular vulnerability at the one-year point, the necessity of viewing movement into the community as a nonlinear process, and the importance of marking outcomes periodically.