title: The importance of a daily rhythm in a supportive environment--promoting ability in activities in everyday life among older women living alone with chronic pain.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to explore how older women living alone with chronic musculoskeletal pain, describe their ability in performing activities in everyday life and what could promote their ability in activities in everyday life as well as their perceived meaning of a changed ability to perform activities in everyday life.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative interviews were conducted with 12 women, and an inductive content analysis was used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed the importance of a daily rhythm of activities. Activities included in the daily rhythm were socializing with family and friends, physical activities, doing own activities as well as activities supported by relatives and the community. The activities described by the women also promoted their ability in activities in everyday life. Other findings were the women's perceived meaning of being independent and maintaining that independency, along with the meaning of accepting and adapting to a changed life situation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This paper concludes that it is important to be sensitive of individual needs regarding the daily rhythm of activities when health-care professionals intervene in the activities in everyday life of older women living alone, promote the women's independency, and enable them to participate in the community. Implications for Rehabilitation A daily rhythm of activities is important for older women who live alone with chronic musculoskeletal pain. The importance of health-care professionals being sensitive to individual needs to promote ability in activities in everyday life and to encourage the everyday activities into a daily rhythm. Facilitate the women's desire and will of independency, despite their needs of help from their environment to manage their everyday life.
authors: School of Health, Care and Social Welfare, Mälardalens University , Västerås , Sweden and.
authors: Sara
authors: S
authors: Cederbom
authors: Petra von Heideken
authors: Pv
authors: Wågert
authors: Anne
authors: A
authors: Söderlund
authors: Maja
authors: M
authors: Söderbäck
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000502:physiology*; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D057187:Independent Living; D059352:Musculoskeletal Pain / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D020380:Needs Assessment; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012931:Social Environment; D012944:Social Support; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: Activities in everyday life; daily rhythm; elderly; musculoskeletal; pain; women