Older person's experiences of benefits gained from the support and advice given during preventive home visits.
Anna Nivestam, Pia Petersson, Albert Westergren and 1 others
PMID 33128293WHAT IT FOUND
Older people valued home visits when visitors listened, assessed health and gave practical reminders, which made them feel recognised, more in control, and prepared for future risks.
Key findings
01The main theme was becoming empowered and recognised as a person, with categories of feeling recognised, feeling of control and feeling prepared.
02Participants felt recognised when visitors listened to their stories and assessed their health and behaviour, which gave a sense of approval and security.
03Participants felt prepared when they received information about future municipal care and a contact person they could call.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The study included 13 older people who were living at home with no or minimal home care, so they may be more independent and resourceful than older people who receive more support. The participants were recruited through visitors who conducted the home visits, and the researchers did not know how many people were asked to take part. The interviews mainly captured positive experiences, and people with negative experiences of the support and advice may not have been represented. The findings come from one preventive home visit model in Sweden, so they may not transfer directly to other settings.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest. The study was financed by external grants from Region Skåne and the municipalities in the project 'Preventive home visits to seniors'.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read this as proof that preventive home visits improve health or prevent falls. The study reports 13 older people's experiences of a Swedish home-visit model, not measured health outcomes.