Congregate Housing for Old People: The Importance of the Physical Environment

Abstract

In Sweden, congregate housing units for elderly people are in a dynamic transition. Reforms emphasise the right of continued integrity and respect when an older person needs service and support in their daily life. With older people's experiences of living in a congregate housing unit, important qualities of the physical environment and of practices and ideology of nursing were examined. Using a random selection from 30 congregate housing units, 59 residents were asked to participate in a semi-structured interview. The interviews were taped and analysed qualitatively. The results showed that residents regarded security and a flat of their own as unconditionally the most important features of a congregate housing unit. Security was provided by health professionals, nurses and nurses' assistants. An important aspect of the outdoor environment expressed by the elderly residents was to have access to a green spot and benches to rest on.