Health-promotion in the context of ageing and migration: a call for person-centred integrated practice

Abstract

Objective: For the aim of improving the implementation of a health-promoting intervention for older persons who are born abroad, this study aimed to explore health care professionals' experiences of facilitators and barriers for their possibilities to support a healthy ageing in the context of migration.Methods: Qualitative data were collected from four focus groups with health professionals who all had experience of working with older persons who are born abroad. Data were analysed with the guidance from the method developed by Krueger and Casey, progressing from an empirical to an abstract level.Results: Five different conditions were found to influence supporting healthy ageing in the context of migration: Sense of belonging through significant others, Emotional bonds to a place called home, Expectations on health and support during the ageing process, Mutual understanding as a means for communication and Heterogeneity as a point of departure. The one comprehensive theme complexity describes how those aspects are interrelated in a complex and unpredictable way. Conclusions:The results point at the need for focusing on each person's experiences and health expectations, and the study provides a foundation for future research on the integration of whole-system and person-centred practice.

Viewing oneself as a capable person – experiences of professionals working with older Finnish immigrants

“…The togetherness, in combination with the possibility to use one's native language, is important for health in context of daily life for older immigrants. This was also shown in the findings of Lood et al where professionals highlighted the importance for older immigrants to have a shared language and a sense of belonging with significant others. Sharing activities and togetherness with compatriots is therefore an important health resource and should be considered when planning health promotion interventions.…”

Health promotion programme design and efficacy in relation to ageing persons with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis

“…However, the included publications also acknowledge hetereogeneity within CALD populations, and the findings support a person-centred approach to health promotion, with attention to each person’s preferences and needs. As described by Turner et al [ 33 ], person-centredness is an important part of best practice with ageing persons [ 33 ], and it is an important aspect of confronting stereotypic and stigmatising views of people with CALD backgrounds [ 34 , 35 ]. Nevertheless, coming to a fore is a scientific knowledge gap with regard to how a person-centred approach could be applied to health promotion with older people with CALD backgrounds.…”

Embraced by the past, hopeful for the future: meaning of health to ageing persons who have migrated from the Western Balkan region to Sweden

“…Even if all persons have different experiences and ways to perceive the world, there are similarities that exist between all human beings, in them being persons. Supported by research on person-centred, multi-dimensional and integrated approaches to health promotion (Jackson et al 2013; Lood et al 2014; WHO 2012), the authors encourage health professionals to empower ageing people who are born abroad to make use of their innate capabilities to adapt and compensate for negative changes to health. Descriptions of human beings as persons, capable of speaking, acting, narrating, taking responsibility, remembering and making promises, minimises the risk of reducing ageing persons who are born abroad to risk carriers in need of protection, or as being deviant from the native-born part of the population.…”