Ingrid From

The meaning of good and bad care in the community care: older people’s lived experiences

In spite of a considerable body of research in the past decades on what does or does not constitute good care for older people, there are still few studies addressing this question in which older people narrate their experiences of being dependent on community care. This study was therefore carried out aiming to explore older peoples lived experiences of what good and bad care meant to them, when it was offered by community care services. Nineteen older persons in three Swedish communities participated in the study, which used a phenomenological-hermeneutic approach. Data were collected through unstructured interviews and Colaizzis framework was utilized in the analysis of the data. The key theme arising from the analysis was that of being encountered as a human being by caregivers who, through the provision of safe and secure care, provide opportunities for living life as usual. When any of these circumstances are lacking, bad care will be the consequence. As the general intention in society is to ensure good quality of care to older people as well as others, the findings in our study should have important implications for providers of community care for older people.

A study protocol for applying user participation and co-learning : lessons learned from the eBalance project

The eBalance project is based on the idea that serious exergames—i.e., computer gaming systems with an interface that requires physical exertion to play—that are well adapted to users, can become a substantial part of a solution to recognized problems of insufficient engagement in fall-prevention exercise and the high levels of fall-related injuries among older people. This project is carried out as a collaboration between eight older people who have an interest in balance training and met the inclusion criteria of independence in personal activities of daily living, access to and basic knowledge of a computer, four staff working with the rehabilitation of older adults, and an interdisciplinary group of six research coordinators covering the areas of geriatric care and rehabilitation, as well as information technology and computer science. This paper describes the study protocol of the project’s initial phase which aims to develop a working partnership with potential users of fall-prevention exergames, including its conceptual underpinnings. The qualitative methodology was inspired by an ethnographical approach implying combining methods that allowed the design to evolve through the study based on the participants’ reflections. A participatory and appreciative action and reflection (PAAR) approach, accompanied by inquiries inspired by the Normalization Process Theory (NPT) was used in interactive workshops, including exergame testing, and between workshop activities. Data were collected through audio recordings, photos, and different types of written documentation. The findings provide a description of the methodology thus developed and applied. They display a methodology that can be useful for the design and development of care service and innovations for older persons where user participation is in focus.

Development and validation of the self-administered Falun health instrument (SAFHI) using data from health promoted workplaces in Sweden:

Aim: The aim of this study was to develop and to validate the self-administered Falun health instrument. An additional aim was to test its applicability in measuring people’s lifestyles linked to health. Methods: In 2002, an instrument was constructed containing questions regarding the hazardous use of alcohol, tobacco, unhealthy diets and insufficient physical activity. A pilot study using the instrument was assessed between 2002 and 2006. In Sweden, it was further expanded and tested during the years 2004–2014 among a total of 1295 people. Results: Face validity was evaluated among colleagues and experts for clarity and completeness resulting in minor adjustments of some questions. With the test–retest method, the self-administered Falun health questionnaire showed a positive and high reproducibility and high compliance. Cronbach’s alpha showed a high level of consistency (average 0.86). Factor analysis demonstrated the choice of questions correlated highly to the measured lifestyle. Conclusions: This study showed that the self-administered Falun health questionnaire is a valid and reliable instrument, useful for detecting individuals at risk of developing diseases that are related to individual choice of lifestyle.

Good Nursing Care for Older Nursing Home Clients in a Nordic Context

Introduction: In order to make nursing homes more attractive as work places in the Nordic countries, it should be important to identify possible issues that are central in good nursing care in this context. Aim: The aim of this study was to illuminate and interpret how good nursing care for older nursing home clients may be narrated by registered nurses in a Nordic context. Methods: Nine expert nurses from nursing homes in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden narrated experiences of good nursing care for older people that were tape recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed by means of qualitative content analysis. Results: Communication, creativity and community were the themes that constituted good nursing care for older people in the studied context. It was interpreted as a process of reciprocity between caregivers, clients and significant others, characterised by transcendence for the individuals that took part in the process. Discussion/Conclusion: Good nursing care in nursing homes demands mature individuals who are conscious and skilled professionals, able to create reciprocity in the care context. Such professional nurses could also serve as radiant role models to other registered nurses who are hesitant in entering nursing care of older people.