Aging in place and the sense of it: Exploring the elderly’s perspective on a nursing home located in Jönköping, Sweden

Abstract

This study explores the experiences and perspectives of older individuals residing in a nursing home with a focus on factors influencing their well-being and quality of life. The research is guided by three key concepts: Aging in place (policies and practices that allow older adults to reside in a chosen living setting for as long as possible, while avoiding unnecessary relocation), Sense of place (subjective and emotional connections individuals have with a specific place), and place (a location that holds a set of meanings). The results emphasize the importance of prioritizing the emotional well-being of older adults in a nursing home. A powerful example is a woman's statement, "Old trees cannot be moved," which underscores the need for providing adequate support and resources to promote well-being in later years. Another resident, for instance, mentions that it is inappropriate and unrealistic to gather a large group of people in one unit and expect them to automatically develop social connections. This difficulty arises due to individuals' varying interests, living circumstances, and needs, making it challenging to foster strong social cohesion. A combination of qualitative and quantitative methods was employed to gain a comprehensive understanding. The qualitative component involved conducting semi-structured interviews with seven participants, utilizing open-ended questions to elicit detailed and diverse responses. Additionally, participant observation was conducted at various times of the day, including day-, evening-, and nighttime.