'What does "remaining living at home" really mean?' Stakeholders' perspectives on everyday difficulties among older people with chronic conditions.
Thomas Ballmer, Brigitte Elisabeth Gantschnig
PMID 40336876WHAT IT FOUND
Professionals and community representatives said older adults may refuse adaptations or hide falls because they fear being sent to a nursing home.
They also pointed to money, inaccessible products and digital services as barriers to independent living.
Key findings
01Participants reported that fear of losing autonomy can make older adults avoid health care services, home adaptations or reporting falls because they worry it may lead to admission to a nursing home.
02Participants said older adults' access to adaptations and home care depends on money, insurance and funding, and that people with fewer resources may be pushed toward nursing homes.
03Participants described persistent barriers, new barriers from digitization and poor coordination among services.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The study used one focus group of eight stakeholders, so it provides only a limited picture. Older adults' own views were not included in this paper. The participants lived or worked in one suburban Swiss community, so the findings may not apply elsewhere. The study reports stakeholder perceptions, not patient outcomes or tested effects of interventions.
Declared interests
The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest. The study was financed by grants from the Otto Beisheim foundation and the Stiftung für Ergotherapie.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read these stakeholder themes as evidence that adaptations, advocacy or intermediate housing options improve older adults' autonomy or living situations. The study used one focus group of eight stakeholders and reported perceptions, not patient outcomes.