Occupational situation and social resources of older women in a situation of dependency assisted by a home help service in rural areas

Introduction: The occupational situation of older women may generate the need for specific care. Objective: The aim of this work is to analyse the occupational situation and social resources of dependent elderly women assisted by a Home Help Service in rural areas. Methodology: A cross-sectional and exploratory qualitative design was used. A purposive sampling was carried out. In-depth interviews were used to obtain the narratives of 10 dependent older women. The interviews were recorded for later transcription and analysis. A discourse analysis of the narrative information was carried out using open, axial and selective coding processes and the constant comparison method. The qualitative analysis software Atlas.ti was used. Results: Four themes emerged from the narratives of the participants: 1) limitations for the performance of instrumental activities of daily life and informal supports; 2) restrictions on social participation, leisure and free time; 3) difficulties arising from health problems and 4) the weight of values and beliefs in their daily lives. Conclusion: Older women in rural areas have limitations when carrying out some instrumental activities of daily life, especially those more closely related to mobility, and social participation and leisure activities. The need to implement public policies to care for people in their homes and community spaces is highlighted