Table 5 Code tree

Relatives as participants

• Heterogeneity of relatives

• Planning of emergency situations

• Wish to be informed

• Participation in decision making

Relatives as supporters

• Trustful communication

• Trust in nurses’ recommendations

• Mediation in conflicts with resident

• Advocacy for resident

• Support for general practitioners

Relatives as troublemakers

• Conflict with nurse’s recommendations

• Conflict between resident’s will and relative’s wish

• Conflict between relatives

• Demanding relatives

• Overstrained relatives