Introduction: Demographic changes point to an aging population, which increases the demand for institutional care for older adults. The transition from one's home environment to a nursing home can be a stressful and demanding life event that affects individuals’ experience of aging, self-image, and sense of self-worth. Occupational therapists can support individuals in this transition and improve their experience of living in a nursing home by promoting engagement in meaningful occupations. Purpose: The aim of the study was to explore how older adults experience the transition from their home environment to a nursing home and how this affects their engagement in occupations. Methods: A qualitative research approach was used. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews with four female participants from the same nursing home who met the inclusion criteria. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyze the data and to develop themes and subthemes. Findings: Two main themes emerged: The process of relocation to a nursing home and Experiencing occupations in a nursing home. The findings show that participants initially perceived the move positively but later faced challenges in adjusting to life in the nursing home, experienced personal distress, and grieved their previous way of life. During the transition, interpersonal relationships with family members, staff, and fellow residents served as an important source of support. Differences emerged between occupations that simply filled time and those that held deeper meaning for the participants. An important finding was the continuity of occupations, which was present in all participants. Barriers to occupational engagement were also identified, such as health problems, disinterest among co-residents, lack of meaningful activities, and the death of fellow residents. Discussion and Conclusion: The study contributes to the understanding of how older adults experience the transition from their home environment to a nursing home, specifically in relation to their engagement in occupations. The findings support the need to involve occupational therapists in the transition of older individuals from their home environment to institutional care. Future research could explore the transition experiencs in man, as they may significantly differ from that of women.
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