”Bara för att man bor på ett boende så kan man ju ändå vara ensam” : En kvalitativ studie om hur omsorgspersonal hanterar omsorgstagares ensamhet på ett särskilt boende.

Sammanfattning: Abstract The purpose of this study is to examine how care assistants deal with loneliness at an elder care facility. By expanding our knowledge about strategies being used we get a new perspective of how loneliness is handled in the real world. Method: As our method we chose a qualitative approach to collect empirical data. We carried out semi structured interviews with six people of whom all work at an elder care home. The interviewees were four nurse assistants, one coordinator and one nurse. Theory: To analyse the data, three theoretical approaches were used: Antonovsky’s SOC (Sense Of Coherence), Empowerment and Goffman’s Theory of Stigma and Shame. Results: Loneliness is a common issue at this facility, nevertheless the different kinds of staff stand alone in handling the feelings and the consequences that sprung from it. Social activities that opposes social loneliness were easier to approach and the staff perceived they had the resources to do so. The emotional loneliness was more challenging, especially if the care receiver had extensive problems or a mental illness. The staff past experiences were that the care receivers did not get the same extensive care as with social loneliness when it came to mental illness. Our study indicates that loneliness is an issue entirely in the hands of the care assistants and that is a risk factor for the elder individuals to not get the care they need, which makes them a vulnerable group for experiences negative effects and mental illness originating from untreated loneliness.