The Meaning of Home for Aging Women Living Alone in North Eastern Ontario

Abstract

The experience and meaning of home for older, community dwelling women, who live alone was investigated. With the older demographic expanding and resources being directed at keeping older adults in their home, an expanded knowledge base is required. Interviews were conducted with seven home dwelling older women. Semi structured questions targeted the meaning of home for the participants. The theme of precariousness dominated the findings, including precariousness of formal and informal care, precariousness of winter and that home is not precarious. The study confirms that home is the preferred location for aging women. Health policy and services should continue to be implemented to accommodate this preference. Future research is needed to confirm the findings with a larger sample, incorporating additional life circumstances and to investigate the impact of factors such as winter weather and financial vulnerability on women’s ability to remain at home as they age.

Keywords

• concept analysis
• nursing
• aging in place
• home
• older adults
• women
• evolutionary
• community care
• geriatric
• older adult