Introduction: Aging is a lifelong physiological process. It brings physical, psychological, and social changes, which may result in older adults’ inability to perform daily activities; therefore, this may mean moving to institutional care. Older adults want to stay in their home environment. The concept of aging in place highlights the importance of support and accessibility of services to elderly persons, so that they can live in their home. The role of occupational therapy in the home environment is to preserve independence, safety, and quality of life of elderly persons with the therapeutic use of occupations, home modifications, and assistive devices. Purpose: This study’s aim is to research experiences of aging, living in the home environment, and participation in daily activities in the home environment. Methods: A qualitative research method was used. Five in-depth interviews were conducted with older adults, who live in the Municipality of Idrija and are aging in the home environment. The interviews were qualitatively analysed. Results: Four main categories emerged: experiences and perceptions of aging in the home environment; satisfaction and quality of life in the home environment; occupations in the home environment and independence; occupational therapy in the home environment. The interviewees experience aging differently. The home environment is important to them; they feel attached to it. They are satisfied in it, despite the obstacles and different factors which negatively impact aging in their home environment. The interviewees are more independent in the activities of daily living and less in the instrumental activities of daily living. They have had to stop performing certain activities. They are prepared to adapt their home to some extent; moving to institutional care is a possibility if a drastic decline in health occurs. They have come across occupational therapy and show an interest in occupational therapy intervention. Discussion and conclusion: Older adults want to stay in their home environment, which they know well. Despite being mostly independent in the activities of daily living, the assistance they receive in the instrumental activities of daily living affects their feeling of independence. Occupational therapy in the home environment would enhance independence and safety when performing occupations/activities, which would also positively impact the satisfaction and quality of life of elderly persons. It would be a welcome service at the primary level of Slovenian health care or as a part of long-term care. More research would be needed in aging in place from the occupational therapy standpoint.
|
