Meaning of home and health dynamics among younger older people in Sweden

Abstract

Research has shown that positive evaluations of home are important for very old people’s health, well-being and independence in daily life. The rationale for the present study derives from our survey study findings, confirming such associations also in a younger cohort ( N = 371). The purpose of this study was to further increase the understanding of the dynamics of meaning of home and health among community-living healthy younger older people, in the present and in a projected future. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 13 persons aged 67–70 years living in ordinary housing in Sweden, followed by a qualitative content analysis. Findings suggest that the home becomes progressively important after retirement. Not only the immediate home environment but also local neighbourhoods influence perceptions about home. Home brings emotional and social benefits but also worries about how to cope with complex home ambivalence when reflecting upon future housing arrangements. The findings suggest that it is important to consider the role of perceived aspects of home for health and well-being in early phases of the ageing process. The findings could be used to raise awareness among policymakers, housing authorities and professionals involved in housing-related counselling.

Relational aspects of meaning in life among older people – a group-interview gerontechnology study

“…Living at home is meaningful as it promotes the experience of having control over one's life (Oswald et al, 2006). Especially when people are less able to function, home provides roots for personal identity as well as supporting experiences of security and freedom (Dahlin-Ivanoff et al, 2007;Kylén et al, 2019). For ageing individuals, losing autonomy and being forced to follow the rules of others causes suffering (Reis et al, 2019(Reis et al, : 1634(Reis et al, -1635.…”

Mental health symptoms, spiritual well‐being and meaning in life among older adults living in nursing homes and community dwellings

“…In a qualitative study with people over 65 years in Sweden, the results indicated that one's home became increasingly important after retirement, and that living in a community dwelling had emotional and social benefits for the dwellers. 14 In other words, one's living situation is very important in helping them develop resources to deal with problems effectively, adapt to changes, lead meaningful lives and protect their self-integrity. Thus, determining the elderly's mental health symptoms, meaning in life and spiritual well-being according to the place of living is necessary.…”

The meaning of home questionnaire revisited: Psychometric analyses among people with Parkinson’s disease reveals new dimensions

“…Building on that, Wahl and Oswald [13] stated that older people perceiving more meaning in relation to the housing could become "prisoners of space" in a no-longer-fitting housing environment. Relocation in very old age has been further described as a complex and ambivalent process [51], which is also true for younger older people [20]. Such dynamics might explain some of the somewhat mixed results of the present study, not the least in particularly challenged groups, such as people ageing with PD.…”

“…Moreover, research using the MOH suggests that meaning of home rating patterns may change over time [12] and should therefore not be considered as temporally consistent. For instance, based on qualitative in-depth interviews Kylén and colleagues [20] pointed out that thoughts on future housing in later life, including issues of meaning of home exists already at the time of retirement.…”