Vahid Zamanzadeh1, Azad Rahmani2, Vahid Pakpour3, Lynnette Lorraine Chenoweth4, Eesa Mohammadi5. 1. Medical-Surgical Nursing, Nursing & Midwifery Faculty of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, East Azerbaijan Province, Iran. 2. Medical-Surgical Department, Nursing & Midwifery Faculty of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, East Azerbaijan Province, Iran. 3. Community Health Nursing Department, Nursing & Midwifery Faculty of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Student Research Committee, Tabriz, East Azerbaijan Province, Iran. 4. Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 5. Medical-Surgical Nursing, Nursing Department, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The study explored the psychosocial effects of transitioning from home to an aged care home for older Iranian people. BACKGROUND: Moving from one's own home to a communal aged care home is challenging for older people and may give rise to numerous psychosocial responses. The extent and intensity of such changes have rarely been explored in Middle Eastern countries. DESIGN: Data were collected through purposive sampling by in-depth semi-structured interviews with 20 participants (17 people living in aged care homes and three formal caregivers). All the interviews were recorded and typed, and conventional qualitative content analysis was used, eliciting common themes. RESULTS: There were four common themes: communication isolation, resource change, monotone institutional life and negative emotional response. Participants lost their previous support systems when transitioning to an aged care home and were not able to establish new ones. Routine care was provided by formal caregivers with little attention to individual needs, and minimal support was given to help maintain the older person's independence. These losses gave rise to negative emotions in some of the participants, depending on their previous lifestyle and accommodation arrangements. CONCLUSIONS: The extent and intensity of psychosocial changes occurring in most of the participants following their transition to an aged care home indicates the need for a review of Iranian aged care services. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: To assist older Iranian people adapt more readily when making the transition to aged care home and to meet their unique psychosocial needs, a family-centred approach to service delivery is recommended.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The study explored the psychosocial effects of transitioning from home to an aged care home for older Iranian people. BACKGROUND: Moving from one's own home to a communal aged care home is challenging for older people and may give rise to numerous psychosocial responses. The extent and intensity of such changes have rarely been explored in Middle Eastern countries. DESIGN: Data were collected through purposive sampling by in-depth semi-structured interviews with 20 participants (17 people living in aged care homes and three formal caregivers). All the interviews were recorded and typed, and conventional qualitative content analysis was used, eliciting common themes. RESULTS: There were four common themes: communication isolation, resource change, monotone institutional life and negative emotional response. Participants lost their previous support systems when transitioning to an aged care home and were not able to establish new ones. Routine care was provided by formal caregivers with little attention to individual needs, and minimal support was given to help maintain the older person's independence. These losses gave rise to negative emotions in some of the participants, depending on their previous lifestyle and accommodation arrangements. CONCLUSIONS: The extent and intensity of psychosocial changes occurring in most of the participants following their transition to an aged care home indicates the need for a review of Iranian aged care services. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: To assist older Iranian people adapt more readily when making the transition to aged care home and to meet their unique psychosocial needs, a family-centred approach to service delivery is recommended.