'A longitudinal room of possibilities' – perspectives on the benefits of long-term preventive home visits: A qualitative study of nurses' experiences. (March 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tøien, Mette; Bjørk, Ida Torunn; Fagerström, Lisbeth
• Is Part Of: Nordic journal of nursing research. Volume 40:Number 1(2020:Mar.)
• Page Start: 6
• Page End: 14
• Publication Date: 2020-03
• Subjects: health promotion -- nurses' experiences -- older persons -- preventive home visits -- qualitative; Nursing -- Periodicals; Nursing -- Scandinavia -- Periodicals; 610.73
• DOI: 10.1177/2057158519856495
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2057-1585

Abstract

Preventive home visits carried out by healthcare professionals are intended to promote the health and independence of home-dwelling older persons and to prevent functional decline. The aim of this study was to describe nurses' experiences of the benefits from long-term follow up with annual preventive home visits to older people in a Norwegian context. We conducted semi-structured interviews with nine nurses who performed the service. Manifest and latent content analysis revealed benefits within three themes: sustained ability to live independently and thrive despite age-related changes, eased transition to other healthcare services, and improved healthcare service planning. Two headlines describe the longitudinal processes involved in the creation of benefits: 'The processes of establishing, sustaining, and widening a longitudinal room of possibilities', and 'The individualized health-promoting processes – the ongoing gardening work. Professional, contextual and structural factors influenced the nurses' ability to support older persons' changing needs during the aging process and thus their health and independence.