“This is not life, this is just vegetation”—Lived experiences of long‐term care in Europe's largest psychiatric home: An interpretative phenomenological analysis

Abstract

Purpose Understanding the experiences of long‐term care (LTC) may help to improve care by assisting mental health professionals and allowing mental health policies to be customized more effectively. Design and Methods Semistructured interviews were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Findings Three main themes emerged as a result: 1. Perception of selves, 2. Experience and representation of the institution, 3. Maintenance of safe spaces. Practice Implications Communication with patients, investigation of their identity processes, and relationship toward their past and present self during LTC might aid in well‐being and sense of congruency in their identities. Nurses should encourage patients to keep connected with their memories and past selves through different activities.