Ingalill Rahm Hallberg
Professor emerita
Older immigrants' experiences of their life situation in the context of receiving public care in Sweden
Author
Summary, in English
Objectives. The aim of this study was to illuminate older immigrants' experience of their life situation in the context of receiving public care in Sweden.
Background. To meet the varying needs from the growing number of older immigrants, more knowledge about the experience of their life situation, health, illness and family ties is needed, especially in the context of receiving public health care and service.
Methods. Data were collected through interviews with sixteen immigrants aged 65 years and older, originally from nine different countries, living in Southern Sweden and receiving continuous care and service. The texts were analysed using qualitative content analysis.
Results. The overall impression from the texts was that the informants expressed a debt of gratitude to Swedish society. Their experience could be understood as – being burdened with health complaints; experiencing painful losses; wanting to manage by oneself and feeling exposed and deserted.
Conclusions. The results show that older immigrants are vulnerable when receiving public care. This was related to previous life events, cultural differences as well as communication difficulties. When planning for and providing care for older immigrants, it is important to be aware of their exposed situation and to acknowledge their life history and family context.
Background. To meet the varying needs from the growing number of older immigrants, more knowledge about the experience of their life situation, health, illness and family ties is needed, especially in the context of receiving public health care and service.
Methods. Data were collected through interviews with sixteen immigrants aged 65 years and older, originally from nine different countries, living in Southern Sweden and receiving continuous care and service. The texts were analysed using qualitative content analysis.
Results. The overall impression from the texts was that the informants expressed a debt of gratitude to Swedish society. Their experience could be understood as – being burdened with health complaints; experiencing painful losses; wanting to manage by oneself and feeling exposed and deserted.
Conclusions. The results show that older immigrants are vulnerable when receiving public care. This was related to previous life events, cultural differences as well as communication difficulties. When planning for and providing care for older immigrants, it is important to be aware of their exposed situation and to acknowledge their life history and family context.
Department/s
- Department of Health Sciences
Publishing year
2007
Language
English
Pages
104-112
Publication/Series
International journal of older people nursing
Volume
3
Issue
2
Links
Document type
Journal article
Publisher
Wiley-Blackwell
Topic
- Nursing
Status
Published
ISBN/ISSN/Other
- ISSN: 1748-3743