The multiple meaning of home as experienced by very old Swedish people

Synneve Dahlin-Ivanoff, Maria Haak, Agneta Malmgren Fänge, Susanne Iwarsson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

he aim of this study was to explore aspects of the meaning of home as experienced by very old single-living people in Sweden. A grounded theory approach was used, and interviews were conducted with 40 men and women aged 80-89. The findings indicate that home has a central place in the lives of very old people because it is where they live and spend so much time. The significance of the home is based on the fact that it means so many different things to the participants. The theme comprises two key categories: home means security and home means freedom. Each of these has three sub-categories. In home means security, these are: living in a familiar neighborhood, everything functions, and having memories to live on. Home means freedom comprises a place for reflection, a social meeting-point, and leaving your own mark. Home is part of the environment and influences the meaning and selection of activities that very old people decide to engage in. When occupational therapists prescribe assistive devices or recommend changes in the home environment, they must be very well aware of and reflect on what home means to their clients and base their measures on that.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)25-32
JournalScandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy
Volume14
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2007

Bibliographical note

The information about affiliations in this record was updated in December 2015.
The record was previously connected to the following departments: Division of Occupational Therapy (Closed 2012) (013025000), The Vårdal Institute (016540000)

Subject classification (UKÄ)

  • Occupational Therapy

Free keywords

  • ENABLE-AGE
  • grounded theory
  • meaning of home
  • occupational therapy
  • Ageing in place

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