Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences
Volume 31, Issue 4, 2017, Pages 759-767

Viewing oneself as a capable person – experiences of professionals working with older Finnish immigrants (Article)

Arola L.A.* , Mårtensson L. , Häggblom Kronlöf G.
  • a Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Section for Health and Rehabilitation, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden, Centre for Person-Centred Care (GPCC), University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden, Centre for Ageing and Health – Agecap, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden, Department of Health and Welfare, Arcada University of Applied Science, Helsinki, Finland
  • b Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Section for Health and Rehabilitation, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden, Centre for Person-Centred Care (GPCC), University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden, Centre for Ageing and Health – Agecap, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
  • c Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Section for Health and Rehabilitation, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden, Centre for Person-Centred Care (GPCC), University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden, Centre for Ageing and Health – Agecap, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden

Abstract

The proportion of older immigrants in the population is expected to increase in Sweden. Research indicates that older immigrants face the double burden of frailty, caused by a weaker health status, and the immigration process. Health promotion interventions can be used to prevent frailty and support healthy ageing in this population. Healthcare professionals are a crucial part of health promotion and the present study aimed to explore healthcare professionals’ experiences of health in context of daily life among older immigrants to and provide a basis for the development of a health promotion intervention targeted at older immigrants. Four focus group discussions were conducted with professionals who worked with home-dwelling older people from Finland, currently living in Sweden. Participants represented a variety of healthcare professions. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. The healthcare professionals perceived that health in daily life was (i) connected to the view of oneself as a capable person and (ii) participants strove to maintain their own origin. The findings highlighted that when planning for health promotion interventions for older immigrants, the point of departure should be to recognise the person as a person and the background of immigration is not the first issue to address. Therefore, a person-centred health promotion intervention is recommended to open a dialogue between healthcare professionals and older immigrants, so that a common view of the intervention can be reached. © 2016 Nordic College of Caring Science

Author Keywords

professional views Person-centred care immigrants Health promotion Old age

Index Keywords

information processing doctor patient relation immigrant Finland health promotion immigration human middle aged Aged ethnology Self Efficacy Sweden Humans migrant Emigrants and Immigrants occupation self concept content analysis Focus Groups
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85002784119&doi=10.1111%2fscs.12395&partnerID=40&md5=ee3e798f6916a3a135fce48bb6844805
DOI: 10.1111/scs.12395
ISSN: 02839318
Cited by: 2
Original Language: English