Abstract
Background: "Improved Elderly Life" is a rehabilitation concept at nursing homes in Aalborg municipality in Denmark, which aims to enhance the perception of a meaningful everyday life for the residents, and hereby maintain daily-life activities. In “Improved Elderly Life” a basic team which consists of a physiotherapist, occupational therapist and an activity employee, collaborate with the care staff at nursing homes. In this study our aim was to investigate the consistency of the meaningful everyday life and activities, from the perspectives of the residents as well as how the staff esteem and contribute to this at nursing homes. Methods: Semi structured, qualitative interviews were conducted with residents and staff at two nursing homes. Results: Residents` perception of a meaningful life in nursing home generated five significant themes; To use oneself and to be of use; Social communities; Meaningful activities; Self-determination and influence on daily life; Self-reliance. Findings showed that residents and staff at the included nursing homes, in some areas have different perceptions of what contributes to a meaningful everyday life. Conclusion: The residents wish for autonomy and individual activities that harmonize with their past lives. The employees and training staff concur with this, however in the daily routines at the nursing homes there is a discrepancy between what is spoken by the employees and what the residents experience.
Highlights
An increased focus on rehabilitation efforts have seen the light as the increased number of elderly affects public budgets [1,2]
In this study we aimed to investigate true goals for meaningful life and activities in nursing home residents and secondary we aimed to investigate the staff perspective of how they in their daily work and by means of "Improved Elderly Life" contribute to the fulfilling of these true goals
Professionalism drives residents in the direction that employees find best for them in the long term. In this qualitative interview study, we aimed to investigate the consistency of meaningful everyday life and activities in the perspectives of the residents and secondary to the staffs perception of their contribution to this in nursing homes
Summary
An increased focus on rehabilitation efforts have seen the light as the increased number of elderly affects public budgets [1,2]. In this view, maintaining abilities of having a meaningful daily life, including physical function as well as social and psychological wellbeing is essential for elder residents both in communities and in nursing homes. According to a study from the Danish Institute of Social Research, elderly is generally happy with life at nursing homes, and quality of life was especially improved in relation to basic needs such as food, beverages and safety. Activities the elderly participated in was rarely something they found meaningful, and their general level of activity and motivation for participation decreased shortly after moving into the nursing home [4,5,6]
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