title: Meanings, functions, and experiences of living at home for individuals with dementia at the critical point of relocation.
abstract: The sociophysical home environment is an integral component of everyday coping, self-identity, and well-being for individuals with dementia; however, residential discontinuity is a common experience for many of these individuals. This article examined the meanings, functions, and experiences associated with living at home for individuals with dementia at the critical point of relocation to a residential care facility. Qualitative research methods were used to analyze in-depth interviews with 16 individuals with dementia at their homes within 2 months prior to relocation. At the time of relocation, living at home had become a paradoxical experience for most participants. The findings inform practice and policy interventions at both individual and societal levels to help individuals with dementia age in place for as long as possible and to maximize their efforts to "place" themselves in their new living environments after relocation.
authors.affiliation: University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. faminzadeh@ottawahospital.on.ca
authors.forename: Faranak
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Aminzadeh
authors.forename: William B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Dalziel
authors.forename: Frank J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Molnar
authors.forename: Linda J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Garcia
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology*; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003704:Dementia / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005610:Freedom; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D007326:Institutionalization; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D009735:Nursing Homes; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009769:Object Attachment; D009864:Ontario; D010343:Patient Admission; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D036301:Qualitative Research; D020377:Self Efficacy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires