Purpose This study investigates how older foreign-born adults in Sweden experience and navigate social connectedness as a determinant of wellbeing.Methods Employing Glaser's grounded theory methodology, we collected qualitative data through individual (n = 1) and focus group (n = 5) interviews with 23 participants aged 60 + representing four distinct cultural-linguistic groups: Arabic, Finnish, Spanish, and Chinese speakers.Results The analysis identified "a quest for understanding" as the core category, encompassing three dimensions: (1) wanting to be understood, (2) wanting to understand, and (3) reaching for reconciliation. While participants shared universal needs for validation and connection, their experiences revealed tensions between aspirations and the challenges of language barriers, cultural distance, and generational differences. Notably, perceptions and experiences showed strong within-group similarities but significant between-group variations.Discussion Framed by Nordenfelt's concept of wellbeing as "want-equilibrium," the findings highlight understanding as both a social need and existential pursuit. While Finnish speakers' minority status eased integration, Arabic and Chinese speakers navigated systemic inclusion yet social exclusion. Resilience strategies-bicultural fluency, insular solidarity, or self-reliance-reflected Bourdieusian capital disparities. Wellbeing thus hinges on mutual recognition: migrants' adaptability and Sweden's capacity to perceive them beyond structural categories.

Background

Early diagnosis and modern treatment have changed everyday life of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, symptoms are still pronounced several years after diagnosis. The aim of this study is therefore to synthesise the perception of everyday life in men and women with contemporary treated RA over the course of the first decade after diagnosis. This will be achieved by comparing subjective experiences with quantitative measures of disability and disease activity.

Methods

A longitudinal convergent mixed method was used. Thirty-one patients, clinically diagnosed with RA and ≥ 18 years of age, were recruited from the TIRA-2 project in southeast Sweden. Patients were followed over a decade regarding disease activity (DAS28), grip force (Grippit), pain intensity (VAS mm) and activity limitations (HAQ). Participation in valued life activities (VLA-swe) was assessed 10 years after diagnosis. The patients took part in individual interviews three- and ten-years post-diagnosis. Quantitative data were analysed through descriptive analyses and linear mixed models. The interviews were analysed using directed content analyses. The results from the quantitative and qualitative analyses were integrated in accordance with the chosen design.

Results

Discrepancies between the quantitative and qualitative results were revealed, along with differences between sexes. Women expressed more problems related to disease activity and grip force, which did not coincide with the quantitative results. In fact, women experienced difficulties in activities despite decreased disease activity. Furthermore, their pain score changed quantitatively over time, which was not expressed in the interviews. These disconfirming results were not seen in men. Both women and men displayed confirming results regarding activity limitation. Some issues, such as with basic needs, were more visible quantitatively than through interviews.

Conclusions

Men and women with contemporary treated RA still experience disability a decade after diagnosis. Additionally, patients’ experiences and quantitatively measured outcomes do not always coincide. The qualitative data adds information and thereby complements the quantitative data on disability. Our results confirm the importance of person-centred rehabilitation in optimising patients’ possibilities for participation in everyday life.

Clinical trial number

Not applicable.

BackgroundResearch indicates that it is the quality of the closest relationships in the mixture of social relations that matters most for older adults. For older foreign-born, especially those who migrate late in life, the family is often the only socioeconomical resource they can lean on. This study aims to explore how older foreign-born perceive the role of family as they age.MethodsThe study design has a grounded theory approach. Data consist of individual open-ended interviews with 15 foreign-born informants aged between 60 and 85 years old who migrated to Sweden as adults from various parts of the world.ResultsThe findings demonstrate that family was an essential part of the informants' lives as they lived for their families and their families lived for them. Family solidarity was described as a cultural heritage they took over from their original families and a cultural heritage they wished to pass on to their future generations. They found that this was what separated them as foreign-born from native-born. Memories of their parents reminded them of their biological, social, and cultural heritages. The intimate relationship with their spouses in a life course had served as a source of validation of their individual identities and promoted personal growth and self-esteem. The role as a loving and caring parent entailed a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction for the life lived. And now as grandparents, the role as a link between the family's historical heritage and the future generation entailed not only a sense of coherence as they aged but also hope and meaning beyond their own lives.ConclusionsThe older foreign-born experienced life satisfaction as they aged with their families. Family meant community and solidarity. It was in the family that they found their distinct roles that had defined them. Family was an indispensable part of their social identity. The findings highlight the importance of older foreign-born being studied from a family and lifetime perspective.

Vid en måltid är det viktigt att ge kroppen goda förutsättningar att hantera och svälja maten. Då är sittställning, samt placeringen av föremål på bord, tallrikar, bestick, glas med mera viktigt. Detta behöver uppmärksammas så att måltidssituationen underlättas. I detta kapitel beskrivs hur en optimal sittställning kan uppnås och vad man behöver tänka på kring måltidsmiljön och i placeringen av de verktyg (tallrik, glas, bestick) som används. Slutligen ges några tips om hur situationen vid matning kan underlättas. Alla dessa delar bidrar till autonomi i måltidssituationen.

Independent transport mobility is an important contributor to health, well-being, and participation. Several skills and competences are required for a person to use the transport system. The characteristics of cognitive disorders, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), may pose barriers to independent travel.MethodsThe study's aim was to synthesise knowledge on the use of public transport among individuals with ASD or ADHD using the whole journey chain perspective. A scoping review using the PRISMA ScR framework was conducted, and included articles published between January 2012 and June 2022. A total of 11 studies from four countries were included in the analysis.ResultsThis study complements the whole journey chain perspective with a phase that takes place long before the journey begins, and which concerns planning and preparation. Confident travellers could easily learn new routes, while those lacking confidence faced challenges, especially with unexpected route changes or cancellations.ConclusionsThere is a great need for emphasis on the design of public transport facilities and public spaces to increase the sense of safety for travellers with ASD, and to assist them with information-seeking, comprehension, and recovery between journeys.

I äldre år kan det bli svårt att hantera vanliga bestick, tallrikar och glas av olika anledningar. Då kan olika hjälpmedel eller anpassade tallrikar och bestick vara till hjälp. I detta kapitel presenteras olika former av ät-hjälpmedel och när de kan vara lämpliga att använda.

Background Support from significant others is important for participation in everyday life for persons with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Meanwhile, significant others also experience limitations. Aims To explore how support is expressed by persons with RA and significant others, and how support relates to participation in everyday life of persons with RA. Material and methods Sixteen persons with RA and their significant others participated in individual semi-structured interviews. The material was analyzed using dyadic analysis. Results Persons with RA and significant others reported that RA and support had become natural parts of everyday life, especially emotional support. The reciprocal dynamics of support were also expressed as imperative. Also, support from people outside of the dyads and well-functioning communication facilitated everyday life. Conclusions Significant others and the support they give are prominent factors and facilitators in everyday life of persons with RA. Concurrently, the support persons with RA provide is important, along with support from outside of the dyads. Significance The results indicate that the interaction between persons with RA and the social environment is central to gain insight into how support should be provided for optimal participation in everyday life. Significant others can preferably be more involved in the rehabilitation process.

Posterns innehåll: Under hösten 2021 genomgick samtlig personal på en geriatrisk akutvårdsavdelning utbildning inom kognitiv svikt. I denna poster redovisar vi vilken effekt utbildningen haft på personcentrerad vård, vårdmiljö samt användningen av lugnande läkemedel samt sömnmedel.

Day centers provide opportunities for older people to achieve active and healthy aging. Staff play a significant role in day centers, although evidence is lacking concerning their role. To explore the experiences of staff in promoting active and healthy aging at social day centers, interviews with 12 staff working at day centers for older people were carried out. The findings present two categories: the actions of the staff and conditions affecting activities at the day centers. Staff at day centers may play an important role in providing opportunities for older people to maintain health and participation in meaningful activities.