A Phenomenological Study of Older Individuals' Experiences of Safety at Home.
Kivimäki Taina, Stolt Minna, Charalambous Andreas and 2 others
PMID 41366515WHAT IT FOUND
Older people receiving homecare described safety as staying in their own home, having nature, neighbours, and reliable help.
They also reported falls, anxiety, loneliness, and practical barriers such as high bathroom thresholds.
Key findings
01Participants described safety at home through themes including safe living in their own home, taking care of themselves, reminiscing and longing, meaningful life, physical functioning changes, and getting help.
02Falls occurred on outdoor stairs, in the toilet, and with a rollator, and one participant broke a hip.
03Homecare staff often took care of medication management, but some participants found it hard to ask for more help as their functioning weakened.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
Recruitment was through homecare contact persons, and the selection period was short, so not all potential participants were reached. The study reports lived experience and cannot be generalised. It describes experiences, not measured outcomes or tested interventions. Findings are from older people receiving long-term professional homecare in western Finland.
Declared interests
The study was supported by The Finnish Nursing Education Foundation and Konung Gustaf V:s och Drottning Victorias Stiftelse. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that this study shows any home safety service or modification works. It reports older people's lived experiences, not measured outcomes or tested interventions.