Hem, men inte hemma : Äldres upplevelser av att flytta från eget boenden till äldreboende -En kvalitativ studie

Sammanfattning: Past research has shown that there are many factors that affect the elderly when moving from their own home to an elderly home. The main aim of this study was therefore to (i) describe the reasons and feelings of the elders associated before transiting into the elderly home (ii) experience and support during the transition and adapting to the life in the elderly home for the first few months after the transition and (iii) whether there lies any difference in sex amongst the elderly men and women in adjusting to the elderly home. Due to ethical issues, the study was conducted through interviewing the professionals who worked with elderly around the clock. Therefore, questions have been answered by the professionals in regard to their view on the subject. A total of six (6) semi structured interviews were conducted by two social work students who interviewed 9 professionals i.e. five (5) individual interviews and one group interview with four (4) professional participants. Of these nine (9) interview participants, eight (8) professionals were either working as domestic workers (hemtjänst) or as professional caregivers at the elderly home or as both and one (1) participant was the chief of department in the elderly home. The results showed that functional impairment or disability was the first and foremost reason as to why elderly must move from their own home to elderly home. However, for many elders this decision feels like a “force” upon them and their experience following is vastly differed. While other elders may feel a loss of identity in the elderly home, lonely and disappointed, many feel a sense of security to be around people who can look after them 24/7 and be able to create a meaningful relationship with both, other residents and the professional staff. It was as well noted that factors like activities and personality played a major role in the adjustment of the elderly in the elderly home. Lastly, the study did not show any differences between the sexes i.e. there was no difference between elderly men and elderly women when adjusting in the elderly home. However elderly women were shown as a sex who were more lenient to adapt to the changes.