Healthy Ageing in Place: Enablers and Barriers from the Perspective of the Elderly. A Qualitative Study

Most elderly people wish to grow old at their own homes. The sociodemographic characteristics; home and neighbourhood conditions; and the social services support and networks are determinants in the possibility of "ageing in place". The present study aimed to explore the ageing in place ph...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of environmental research and public health 2020-09, Vol.17 (18), p.6451
Main Authors: Bosch-Farré, Cristina, Malagón-Aguilera, Maria Carmen, Ballester-Ferrando, David, Bertran-Noguer, Carme, Bonmatí-Tomàs, Anna, Gelabert-Vilella, Sandra, Juvinyà-Canal, Dolors
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Age
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Aging
Autonomy
Barriers
Geriatrics
Health behavior
Health care
Health Status
Healthy Aging
Home environment
Humans
Independent Living - statistics & numerical data
Institutionalization
Mental health
Mental health services
Older people
Population
Qualitative Research
Quality
Quality of life
Social networks
Social organization
Social services
Social support
Society
Spain
Well being
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Summary:Most elderly people wish to grow old at their own homes. The sociodemographic characteristics; home and neighbourhood conditions; and the social services support and networks are determinants in the possibility of "ageing in place". The present study aimed to explore the ageing in place phenomenon, as well as the enablers and barriers that interact in a healthy ageing from the perspective of the elderly connected to local entities. A generic qualitative design was proposed in the Health Region of Girona in Catalonia (Spain). Seventy-one elderly people were purposefully selected. Six focus groups were conducted, and data were thematically analysed. Three key themes were generated: (1) Participants experienced ageing differently. The physical and mental health, the family environment and financial stability were key elements for life quality. (2) The perception of the elderly's role in the community depended on their age, health status and attitude towards life. (3) The participants identified several enablers and barriers to healthy ageing in place. The promotion of older people's autonomy and wellbeing, together with the creation of an active network of health and social services, may improve the possibility for elderly to age at home and avoid or delay institutionalisation.
ISSN:1660-4601
1661-7827
1660-4601
DOI:10.3390/ijerph17186451