Abstract
Executive summary
Background
Being active is an important part of managing the daily challenges of advanced old age. Occupational therapy and occupational science are based on the premise that a person’s occupations are intertwined with his or her health and thus needed to experience a meaningful life and wellbeing.
Objectives
The objective of this review was to synthesize knowledge regarding which types of occupations the elderly perceive as important to and support their overall wellbeing.
Inclusion criteria
Types of participants: Independently living elderly people aged 65+ in Europe, the USA, Canada and Australia.
Phenomena of interest: The phenomenon of interest was to uncover whether the elderly see any specific types of occupations as enhancing their wellbeing.
Types of studies: This review encompassed qualitative studies with designs including, but not limited to, phenomenology, grounded theory, ethnography and action research.
Search strategy: A three-step search strategy using the JBI method was utilized. Both published and unpublished studies were searched. The following databases were searched for studies up to 2017: CINAHL, Nursing and Allied Health Source, Web of Science, PubMed and OpenGrey.
Methodological quality: Using the Joanna Briggs Institute Qualitative Assessment and Review Instrument (JBI-QARI), two independent reviewers assessed whether each study had the methodological quality required to be included in the review. Any disagreements were resolved through discussion with a third reviewer.
Data extraction: The standardized JBI-QARI data extraction tool for interpretive and critical research was used to extract data from the included studies.
Data synthesis: JBI-QARI was used to pool the qualitative research findings. The findings were then aggregated through a process of rating according to quality, and categorized according to similarity in meaning, which thus generated a set of statements for each category. These categories were then subjected to a meta-synthesis aimed at producing a single comprehensive set of synthesized findings useful as a basis for evidence-based practice.
Results: All three of the included studies utilized qualitative interviews and followed a phenomenological approach. The studies included only participants aged 85 and over. Thirty-five findings were extracted and grouped into four categories, which were synthesized into two meta-syntheses: 1) The importance of ‘doing’ alone – to feel good, I have to be the master of my own life and 2) Old habits never die – a structured day is a good day.
Conclusions: The present review showed that two factors enhance elderly people’s wellbeing: first, having variation and independency in doings, second, having choice between the occupations and structure that make up daily life. The two factors were influenced by a balance between having doings alone and with others. This review is not intended to identify specific occupations that enhance elderly people’s wellbeing, but rather to indicate which types of occupations provide the elderly with wellbeing enhancing structure, value and meaning in their daily lives.
Both the dependability and the credibility of the studies are rated as moderate.
Background
Being active is an important part of managing the daily challenges of advanced old age. Occupational therapy and occupational science are based on the premise that a person’s occupations are intertwined with his or her health and thus needed to experience a meaningful life and wellbeing.
Objectives
The objective of this review was to synthesize knowledge regarding which types of occupations the elderly perceive as important to and support their overall wellbeing.
Inclusion criteria
Types of participants: Independently living elderly people aged 65+ in Europe, the USA, Canada and Australia.
Phenomena of interest: The phenomenon of interest was to uncover whether the elderly see any specific types of occupations as enhancing their wellbeing.
Types of studies: This review encompassed qualitative studies with designs including, but not limited to, phenomenology, grounded theory, ethnography and action research.
Search strategy: A three-step search strategy using the JBI method was utilized. Both published and unpublished studies were searched. The following databases were searched for studies up to 2017: CINAHL, Nursing and Allied Health Source, Web of Science, PubMed and OpenGrey.
Methodological quality: Using the Joanna Briggs Institute Qualitative Assessment and Review Instrument (JBI-QARI), two independent reviewers assessed whether each study had the methodological quality required to be included in the review. Any disagreements were resolved through discussion with a third reviewer.
Data extraction: The standardized JBI-QARI data extraction tool for interpretive and critical research was used to extract data from the included studies.
Data synthesis: JBI-QARI was used to pool the qualitative research findings. The findings were then aggregated through a process of rating according to quality, and categorized according to similarity in meaning, which thus generated a set of statements for each category. These categories were then subjected to a meta-synthesis aimed at producing a single comprehensive set of synthesized findings useful as a basis for evidence-based practice.
Results: All three of the included studies utilized qualitative interviews and followed a phenomenological approach. The studies included only participants aged 85 and over. Thirty-five findings were extracted and grouped into four categories, which were synthesized into two meta-syntheses: 1) The importance of ‘doing’ alone – to feel good, I have to be the master of my own life and 2) Old habits never die – a structured day is a good day.
Conclusions: The present review showed that two factors enhance elderly people’s wellbeing: first, having variation and independency in doings, second, having choice between the occupations and structure that make up daily life. The two factors were influenced by a balance between having doings alone and with others. This review is not intended to identify specific occupations that enhance elderly people’s wellbeing, but rather to indicate which types of occupations provide the elderly with wellbeing enhancing structure, value and meaning in their daily lives.
Both the dependability and the credibility of the studies are rated as moderate.
| Originalsprog | Engelsk |
|---|---|
| Tidsskrift | JBI Database of Systematic Reviews & Implementation Reports |
| Vol/bind | 16 |
| Udgave nummer | 5 |
| Sider (fra-til) | 1174-1189 |
| Antal sider | 16 |
| ISSN | 2202-4433 |
| DOI | |
| Status | Udgivet - 1 maj 2018 |