Personal resources supporting living at home as described by older home care clients

Authors: Eloranta, Sini; Routasalo, Pirkko¹; Arve, Seija²

Source: International Journal of Nursing Practice, Volume 14, Number 4, August 2008 , pp. 308-314(7)

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Abstract:

This study describes the personal resources of older (≥ 75 years) home care clients in Finland and their perceptions of factors that enhance and constrain their ability to live independently at home. The data were collected by unstructured interviews with 21 older home care clients. Inductive content analysis were used to analyse the data. The resources of older people consisted of a sense of control over one's life and a determination to remain active. Factors enhancing older people's resources were their involvement in leisure activities and social networks, factors undermining their resources were conditions on living imposed by outsiders, declining health and loneliness. The results show that home care professionals do not yet have sufficient skills and abilities to identify and support older people's existing resources. As well as having access to necessary resources, it is also crucial that older people know how to use them.

Keywords: home care; older people; qualitative interview; resources

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1440-172X.2008.00698.x

Affiliations: 1: Professor, Department of Nursing Science, University of Turku, Turku, Finland and Department of Nursing Science, Tartu, Estonia 2: Director of Nursing, Turku City Hospital, Turku, Finland

Publication date: 2008-08-01