Maintaining autonomy: How older persons with chronic conditions and their significant others interpret, navigate, and overcome everyday difficulties

BACKGROUNDThe vast majority of older adults live in their own homes. Many of them live with chronic conditions that lead to activity limitations and participation restrictions. To support them adequately, we need to better understand how they cope with everyday difficulties.AIMTo identify and examin...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Scandinavian journal of occupational therapy 2024, Vol.31 (1), p.2249959-2249959
Main Authors: Ballmer, Thomas, Gantschnig, Brigitte
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Autonomy
chronic illness
elderly
identity
occupational therapy
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Summary:BACKGROUNDThe vast majority of older adults live in their own homes. Many of them live with chronic conditions that lead to activity limitations and participation restrictions. To support them adequately, we need to better understand how they cope with everyday difficulties.AIMTo identify and examine difficulties in everyday life older people with chronic conditions who live in private homes face and how they and their significant others interpret, navigate, and overcome these difficulties.MATERIAL AND METHODSWe conducted a focus group interview with 10 participants including eight older adults with chronic conditions and two of their significant others. We then transcribed the interviews verbatim and thematically analysed them.RESULTSWe generated the three closely interrelated themes struggling not to lose control, a shifting balance between resources and environmental challenges, and negotiating independence and interdependence. Participants interpreted the difficulties they faced as multicausal. Their main goal was maintaining autonomy, agency, and a positive identity. They employed individual, creative strategies to achieve these goals.CONCLUSIONSOlder persons with chronic conditions prioritise autonomy and agency in order to maintain a positive identity.SIGNIFICANCEInterventions to support older persons with chronic conditions should centre their priorities and build on their creativity.
ISSN:1103-8128
1651-2014
DOI:10.1080/11038128.2023.2249959