Supportive housing residents’ experiences of the intervention active in my home

Abstract

Background The occupational therapy intervention, Active in My Home (AiMH), puts occupational engagement, participation in society and personal recovery in focus and includes increased staff support.Aims/Objectives To investigate how the residents experienced the AiMH support, with a focus on their possibilities for engaging in occupations and participating in society after the intervention.Material and Methods Sixteen AiMH participants were interviewed at completion, and/or 6-9 months after completion. Data were analysed using content analysis.Results The main theme was: Boosting personal recovery by discovering new capacities and activity opportunities. Four categories also emerged: Stimulating with new approaches to support and interaction from the staff, Opportunities to reflect on personal recovery were essential, Engaging in reflection and exploring new activities initiated a positive cycle of change and Interacting with group participants and staff provided new perspectives and motivation.Conclusion The participants gained knowledge about how to engage in meaningful everyday life activities. AiMH contributed to a more supportive housing climate and increased sense of security and connectedness.Significance AiMH can fill a gap in occupational therapy interventions for residents in supported housing (SH) in Sweden and has potential to change the caregiving culture by promoting a more recovery-oriented form of support.

Keywords

• Life-style intervention
• mental illness
• occupational engagement
• occupational therapy
• remotivation
• sensory modulation