Away from Home or Returned Home? What Iranian Participants with Dementia Experience while Living in a Culturally Profiled Nursing Home in Sweden

Abstract

This study explores Iranian immigrants with dementia living in a culturally profiled Swedish nursing home and what it means to be at “home.” The meaning given to a place, in general, is understood to be generated and formed by experiences, expectations, hopes, and chains of events, and its significance can change over time. Life changes will mainly affect the understanding of what constitutes “home.” Such a concept can be challenging to define, especially amongst some immigrant populations and those with dementia, for whom parameters change and choice can be limited. This qualitative research study is based on ethnographic fieldwork following ten participants. The data was analyzed, and three main categories that contribute to understanding “home” as part of the delivery of care to elderly immigrants with dementia, namely “a place to escape to”, “a place to be”, and “a place to live”, were identified. The findings show that living in a culturally profiled nursing home in Sweden gave residents a feeling of self-rule, although the institution did have its codes and rules. Considering the feeling of home, none of the participants felt at home; instead, they stated that the culturally profiled nursing home was merely a place to live. Factors that strengthened their independence were the ability to speak the language they were familiar with and receiving medical help without relying on their children.