Hazards and adaptations in home environment of elderly people

Uvod: Starejša oseba je nekdo, ki je dopolnil 65 let, takšno starost pa uvrščamo v tretje življenjsko obdobje. Posledica procesa staranja so spremembe na biološko-fiziološkem, psihološkem in socialnem področju. Zaradi naštetih sprememb in z njimi povezanih bolezni ter izgub v starosti starejši občutijo postopno pešanje samostojnosti, kar povzroči večjo možnost za nevarnost ter pojav neželenih dogodkov in poškodb. Posledice se kažejo v zmanjšanem funkcioniranju, višji stopnji odvisnosti od drugih in nezmožnosti za nadaljnje življenje v domačem okolju. Namen: Želeli smo ugotoviti, kako starejše osebe doživljajo svoje domače okolje, s katerimi omejitvami v njem se soočajo in na kakšen način ter kako to vpliva na njihovo vsakodnevno funkcioniranje. Zanimalo nas je tudi, ali znotraj domačega okolja že uporabljajo kakšne strategije, pripomočke in prilagoditve oz. ali se bodo za njih odločili v prihodnje ter katere so njihove prednosti in slabosti. Metode dela: Izvedena je bila kvalitativna raziskava s pomočjo petih polstrukturiranih intervjujev starejših oseb, ki živijo v domačem okolju. Intervjuji so bili z dovoljenjem sodelujočih zvočno posneti, dobesedno prepisani in kvalitativno analizirani. Rezultati: Sodelujoči so na svoje domače okolje zelo navezani, saj jim omogoča svobodo, varnost, zadovoljstvo, neodvisnost in avtonomijo. Zaradi s starostjo povezanih sprememb in fizičnih ovir domačega okolja pa je prisotno večje tveganje za nastanek nezgod, kar posledično vpliva na funkcioniranje starejših – uporabo pripomočkov, strah pred padci, izvajanje dnevnih aktivnosti in izogibanje socialnim stikom. V povezavi z ovirami sodelujoči že uporabljajo improvizirane strategije in pripomočke, terapevtskih prilagoditev s pomočjo strokovnjakov pa se zaradi nepoznavanja, strahu pred organizacijo del in finančne nedostopnosti ne poslužujejo. Razprava in zaključek: Domače okolje starejše spodbuja k izvajanju aktivnosti, jim omogoča dostop do storitev in ohranjanje oz. krepitev socialne mreže. V njem doživljajo pozitivne in negativne občutke, slednje zlasti v primeru omejitev ter slabšega funkcioniranja. Strategij, pripomočkov in prilagoditev se starejši poslužujejo dokaj malo, pri tem jim pomoč in podporo nudijo predvsem družina in prijatelji, zelo pomembna pa je tudi vključitev delovnega terapevta. Področje bivanja starejših v domačem okolju in vloge delovne terapije v Sloveniji bi bilo potrebno natančneje raziskati. Prav tako bi bilo zaradi slabe prepoznavnosti stroke potrebnih več aktivnosti, povezanih s promocijo delovne terapije.Introduction: An elderly person is someone who has reached the age of 65, and such age is classified as the third period of life. The aging process results in changes in the biological-physiological, psychological and social fields. Due to the listed changes and related diseases and losses in old age, the elderly feel a gradual decline in independence, which leads to a greater possibility of danger and the occurrence of adverse events and injuries. Consequences are reflected in reduced functioning, a higher degree of dependence on others and the inability to continue living in the home environment. Purpose: We wanted to determine how older people experience their home environment, what limitations they face in it and in what way, and how this affects their daily functioning. We were also interested in whether they already use any strategies, tools and adaptations within the home environment or whether they will decide to use them in the future, and what their advantages and disadvantages are. Methods: A qualitative research was conducted with the help of five semi-structured interviews of elderly people living in a home environment. Interviews were audio-recorded with the permission of the participants, literally transcribed and qualitatively analyzed. Results: Participants are very attached to their home environment as it provides them freedom, security, satisfaction, independence and autonomy. Due to age-related changes and physical barriers in the home environment, there is a higher risk of accidents, which in turn affects the overall functioning of the elderly - use of tools, fear of falling, performing daily activities and avoidance of social contacts. Because of the obstacles, participants already use improvised strategies and tools, but avoid the use of therapeutic adaptations with the help of experts due to ignorance, fear of work organization and financial inaccessibility. Discussion and conclusion: The home environment encourages the elderly to carry out activities, and enables them to access services and maintain or strengthen the social network. Within they experience positive and negative feelings, the latter especially in the case of limitations and poor functioning. Elderly use few strategies, aids and adaptations, where they receive most of the help and support from their family and friends, but the involvement of an occupational therapist is also very important. The field of elderly living in the home environment and the role of occupational therapy in Slovenia should be investigated in more detail. Due to the poor recognition of the profession, also more activities related to the promotion of occupational therapy would be needed