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. 2021 Mar 4:22:e6.
doi: 10.1017/S1463423621000049.

Older people living at home: experiences of healthy ageing

Astrid Fjell  1   2 , Kristin Ådnøy Eriksen  2 , Monica Hermann  3 , Anne-Marie Boström  4 , Seiger Berit Cronfalk  5
Affiliations

Older people living at home: experiences of healthy ageing

Astrid Fjell et al. Prim Health Care Res Dev. .

Abstract

Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate how old persons perceived their life to be, how they viewed the ageing process and their need of health care and societal support.

Background: The purpose of WHO's Healthy Ageing strategy and development of age-friendly environments is to support physiological and psychosocial changes in old persons by facilitating basic needs. Interventions to operationalize these needs in older people living at home are often developed from a professional perspective and to a small extent involves the perceptions, experience and expectations of the older persons.

Method: This qualitative study has an explorative design using focus group discussions to collect data. In all, 34 persons between 69 and 93 years of age participated in seven group discussions. The interviews were analyzed using inductive manifest content analysis.

Findings: The main results suggest that most old persons enjoyed life and wished it to continue for as long as possible. Important was to sustain networks and to feel useful. Unexpected changes were described as threats and the need to use health care services was associated with illness and being dependent. The result is presented in three categories with sub-categories: 'Embracing life', 'Dealing with challenges' and 'Considering the future'.

Keywords: age-friendly environment; content analysis; focus group; healthy ageing; public health; social support.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

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