A reciprocal relationship - an opportunity and a solution for a meaningful daily life in home care - the older person’s perspective

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Background: Shortcomings in elderly care have been reported in many parts of world, including Sweden. National guidelinesfor elderly care have been introduced in Sweden, which contain core values and local guarantees of dignity. These highlightthe need for dignity and well-being and organizing older person’s daily life so that she/he perceives it as meaningful. Therefore,the aim of present study was to explore opportunities, obstacles and search for solutions as described by olderperson in order to create a meaningful daily life. Methods: The design is based on underpinning view of seeing older persons as narrators of their own stories andinterpreters of their own lives. Participatory Appreciative Action Reflection (PAAR) was used when collecting data. Fifteenolder persons participated, and repeated interviews were carried out as reflective conversations, in total 30 interviews. The olderpersons provided their analyses and reflections on what had been said regarding a meaningful daily life. Finally, an analysis ofthe data was done, based on interpretative description, and an inductive approach built on key axioms of naturalistic inquiry. Results: The older persons’ experiences and knowledge of opportunities, obstacles and solutions to a meaningful daily life canbe summarized into four themes: (1) to live as usual, (2) collaboration with staff, (3) relationship carries everyday life,and (4) belonging to something. In discussion, we choose to further develop these four themes by using Buber’s philosophyof dialogue. Conclusions: An opportunity and a solution for meaningful daily life for older person were seen in relationship tooneself, to staff, to others, and family. The reciprocal relationship, which occurred in interaction between staff andthe older person, was opportunity and solution for a meaningful daily life. It was ongoing conversation between olderperson and staff who became the glue and formed relationship. If staff could support older persons to maintaintheir habits and routines, these were solutions for creating a meaningful daily life. A meaningful daily life could be obtained inan I-Thou relation in a shared everyday life, where relationship and continuing dialogue becomes power of balance.The relationship is also relevant for staff and in line with Buber’s thoughts on how we are shaped by humans in encounterwith others.