Home Sweet Home: Conceptualizing and Coping With the Challenges of Aging and the Move to a Care Facility

Abstract

This study sought to understand how older adults make sense of the challenges of aging. In particular, the move to a care-related facility provides a context for the study of how uncertainty, ambivalence, and other concerns connected with the aging process are conceptualized by older adults. Furthermore, how older adults communicate about and cope with these challenges was examined. Babrow's (1992, 2007) problematic integration theory provides a framework for this research. A qualitative study employing in-depth interviews with 44 older adults from two continuum-of-care facilities was conducted. Findings indicate that the participants experienced problematic integration concerning physical declines, changes in the parent–child relationship, and the decision to move to a care-related facility. In coping with these challenges, older adults focused on positive evaluations, reframing, acceptance, and adaptation. By and large most of the coping mechanisms that older adults employed help explain their success in maintaining a positive outlook, achieving satisfaction with their move and their family communication, and adapting to the challenges of aging.