We are faced with a growing number of older people who need support and care in a home for the older people. In this context, maintaining independence is becoming a key issue in the planning and implementation of care in homes for the older people. It is important to understand how homes for the older people can enable a life that is as independent as possible, while providing the necessary care.
My first thought was about age and ageing. In my thesis, I focused on maintaining independence in a home for the older people and how activities are adapted to the needs of the residents. I was particularly interested in the role of social work in this area and who else is responsible for promoting independence. I have focused both on institutional care for the older people and on long-term care and the needs of people in long-term care. For ease of understanding, I also presented the role and tasks of a social worker or worker in a home for the older people.
The research of the thesis is qualitative research, since the method of data collection is questioning or interviews.
Based on the obtained data, I found that participation in activities and adjustments of these activities is usually the responsibility of the occupational therapist. Social workers, however, have a wide range of other roles and tasks they perform. Encouraging the maintenance of residents’ independence often also depends on the responsiveness of residents. There is little real involvement in the activities, but rather coordination and distribution of work among employees and the transfer of information by residents.
|