Influences on the wellbeing of older persons residing in residential homes

Abstract

The technique selected to undertake this study is an extended literature review, using concepts from systematic reviewing. This method was selected to analyse existing literature and collect and compare a variety of deductions from these studies that are already found to be accurate about what supports and inhibits the wellbeing of elderly persons in residential homes. Ethical considerations are fundamental. Due to this research being a literature review using concepts from systematic reviewing, I used secondary data. Thus, no persons were involved or harmed in this research. All research resources are cited, to avoid plagiarism and credit the author, ensuring that the dissertation meets its requirements. I also developed inclusion and exclusion criteria in order to be able to identify relevant studies to help me answer the research question. From initial searches, I identified forty-five articles related to my research question. Ultimately, ten articles were chosen. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the ten articles and seven themes were derived. These helped me to find what contributes or interferes with the wellbeing of older persons living in residential homes. Depression was found to be a very mental health problem experienced by many older persons living in residential homes. Physical activity, therapy and social activities, were found to be of extreme benefit, to alleviate various health issues such as Alzheimer’s disease, depression and so on. Apart from socialising, the space in which older persons spend their time is crucial, for them to be comfortable, thus having a residence which is modern, clean and accessible is essential. Factors such as bereavement and loneliness are experienced by many in this time of their lives because of the numerous changes they are facing. Every aspect in their lives is important and needs to be cared for appropriately, because every factor is linked. Thus, if one aspect is not up to par, other factors will automatically be impacted negatively. Finally, the recent Covid-19 pandemic has had a tremendous impact on the lives of these persons and situations have had to be adapted to fit in with current events.