The home is the hub of health in very old age: Findings from the ENABLE-AGE Project

Abstract

The aim was to explore health in relation to the home as experienced by very old, singleliving Swedish people. Applying a grounded theory approach, 40 men and women aged 80-89 were interviewed in their own homes. Data analysis revealed the main theme "The home is the hub of health", comprising two categories, "The home as support for health", and "Having an inner driving force to maintain health". Health was described as being active and participating, and during the aging process the home became an increasingly important source of support. The older people were aware of their vulnerability, and knew that their life situation could change rapidly. Thus, health was always interpreted in relation to this. They had a strong inner driving force to maintain health, and within the home they challenged their capacity, and used different adaptive strategies targeting person-environment-activity transactions. Our findings imply the need for focusing on the opportunities for activity and participation in all interventions. They also challenge current national and international housing policy emphasizing the benefits of staying put, thus contributing to a more diverse view of what kind of housing arrangements are optimal for very old people.

Older patients' perception of their own capacity to regain pre-fracture function after hip fracture surgery – an explorative qualitative study

“…An acute event often results in temporary dependence on others. It is important to remember to take advantage of patients` desire to regain independence and incorporate opportunities to involve the patient in their own recovery (Fange and Ivanoff, 2009;Ottenvall Hammar et al 2014). …”

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What can local authorities do to improve the social care-related quality of life of older adults living at home? Evidence from the Adult Social Care Survey

“…To our knowledge, it has not been found before that quality of life is equally strongly associated with the home environment and information provision as with physical and mental health factors. Qualitative research provides indications for the enabling role of the home environment: during the aging process the home becomes an increasingly important source of support and independence, compensating for declines in functional capacity (Haak, Fänge, Iwarsson, & Ivanoff, 2007;Fänge & Ivanoff, 2009). …”

Healthy ageing and home: The perspectives of very old people in five European countries

“…Previous studies on the qualitative Swedish data within the ENABLE-AGE Project, have shown that home is a place of meaning (Dahlin-Ivanoff, Haak, Fänge, & Iwarsson, 2007) and perceived as an important place linked to selfperceived health in very old age (Fänge & Dahlin-Ivanoff, 2009). Health was described in terms of being able to manage daily activities at home and participate in broader society.…”