diff --git a/src/client/clientMonitor.cpp b/src/client/clientMonitor.cpp
index 2a7c321..8b7debd 100644
--- a/src/client/clientMonitor.cpp
+++ b/src/client/clientMonitor.cpp
@@ -196,16 +196,29 @@ bool Monitor::poll()
     Guard G(impl->mutex);
 
     if(!impl->done && impl->last.next()) {
-        root = impl->last->pvStructurePtr;
+        const epics::pvData::PVStructurePtr& ptr = impl->last->pvStructurePtr;
         changed = *impl->last->changedBitSet;
         overrun = *impl->last->overrunBitSet;
 
+        /* copy the exposed PVStructure for two reasons.
+         * 1. Prevent accidental use of shared container after release()
+         * 2. Allows caller to cache results of getSubField() until root.get() changes.
+         */
+        if(!root || (void*)root->getField().get()!=(void*)ptr->getField().get()) {
+            // initial connection, or new type
+            root = pvd::getPVDataCreate()->createPVStructure(ptr); // also calls copyUnchecked()
+        } else {
+            // same type
+            const_cast<pvd::PVStructure&>(*root).copyUnchecked(*ptr, changed);
+        }
+
+        impl->seenEmpty = false;
     } else {
-        root.reset();
         changed.clear();
         overrun.clear();
+        impl->seenEmpty = true;
     }
-    return impl->seenEmpty = !!root;
+    return !impl->seenEmpty;
 }
 
 bool Monitor::complete() const
diff --git a/src/client/pva/client.h b/src/client/pva/client.h
index e9b6897..21f6b3a 100644
--- a/src/client/pva/client.h
+++ b/src/client/pva/client.h
@@ -104,13 +104,31 @@ struct epicsShareClass Monitor
     void cancel();
     /** updates root, changed, overrun
      *
-     * @return true if root!=NULL
+     * @return true if a new update was extracted from the queue.
+     * @note This method does not block.
      * @note MonitorEvent::Data will not be repeated until poll()==false.
+     * @post root!=NULL (after version 6.0.0)
+     * @post root!=NULL iff poll()==true  (In version 6.0.0)
      */
     bool poll();
     //! true if all events received.
     //! Check after poll()==false
     bool complete() const;
+    /** Monitor update data.
+     *
+     * After version 6.0.0
+     *
+     * Initially NULL, becomes !NULL the first time poll()==true.
+     * The PVStructure pointed to be root will presist until
+     * Monitor reconnect w/ type change.  This can be detected
+     * by comparing `root.get()`.  references to root may be cached
+     * subject to this test.
+     *
+     * In version 6.0.0
+     *
+     * NULL except after poll()==true.  poll()==false sets root=NULL.
+     * references to root should not be stored between calls to poll().
+     */
     epics::pvData::PVStructure::const_shared_pointer root;
     epics::pvData::BitSet changed,
                           overrun;