Social Contact and Belonging Among Older People Receiving Home Care Nursing

Abstract

Solveig Tomstad,1,2 Kari Sundsli,1,2 Hans Inge Sævareid,1,2 Ulrika Söderhamn1,2 1Centre for Caring Research, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Agder, Grimstad, Norway; 2Department of Health and Nursing Sciences, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Agder, Grimstad, NorwayCorrespondence: Solveig Tomstad, Department of Health and Nursing Sciences, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Agder, Kristiansand, 4604, Norway, Email [email protected]: Support of social contact and a sense of belonging may be essential for older persons who need help, to take care of their wellbeing and reduce the feeling of loneliness. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the features that influence social contact and belonging among older persons who received home care nursing.Patients and Methods: The study involved nine individual in-depth interviews with older persons residing in Norway. The interviews were analyzed in accordance with a model of content analysis.Findings: Social contact and belonging among the older persons depended on the availability of necessary resources that foster social activity, contact with family and friends, and housing quality. Interaction with helpers and accommodation of their needs as necessary were important for these persons. Reflecting on the past and considering life in context may be essential as a basis for their present and future life.Conclusion: The results of the present study indicated that a sense of being cared for and supported are important for social contact and belonging. Social activity, engagement in family and contact with friends and neighbors are valued. However, a proportion of older persons are not engaged in such activities. Volunteer help may be a key factor for improving social contact. Moreover, contact and communication with home care nurses are important for recognition as valued persons and as a link to the community.Plain Language Summary: This study gave older persons who are dependent on help in their daily life at home the opportunity to express the experiences regarding their social contact and belonging.Social contact and belonging depended on the availability of necessary resources and support, relationships with family and friends, and the quality of their homes. Furthermore, personal contact with helpers and accommodation of their needs were important for those older persons. Reflecting on the past and considering life in context was also important as a basis for their present and future life.Volunteer help may be important for improving social contact. Good communication with home care nurses may be essential for recognition as valued persons and as a connection to the healthcare system in the community. To enhance the sense of belonging, the healthcare system and community must manage the dependencies of older persons in a manner that recognizes their value.Keywords: home living, loneliness, qualitative study, seniors

Keywords

• home living
• loneliness
• qualitative study
• seniors